I was in the 7th grade when we moved into the house next door to Herbert and Mary Wilson. That was many years ago, around  1967 I believe. Little did I know that the Wilson's would be our friends from that day forward.  Donald, my sister and I ran those woods around our house, rode horses, bikes, built forts and our families took care of each other in times of need.  The Wilson's gave me a bridal shower, baby shower, and when we built our house in 1984, he gave us a pecan tree.  We did see fruit from it and it is now a very large tree.  While we were neighbors until I got married, in 74, he also built a house two doors down from where Wayne and  I lived and we continued the neighborly friendship  we shared til I moved away in 2013.  He shared vegetables from his garden, grapes from his grapevine, and persimmons from his tree until he cut it down.  I had never eaten a persimmon before  so now he had me hooked on them.  Then he cut it down!  I told him I could never forgive him for that to which we both had a good laugh.  He will be missed. A good man who lived a long life and was a good friend to many and a neighbor that many would long to have had.  Our prayers for the family.  Grace and peace and I hope up in heaven he finds my dad and son and gives them a big hug.

 Love and our deepest sympathy, 

Anita (Miller) & Wayne Hamilton

Papa. A man who represented so much to me. Always had a laugh & smile to share. He loved my Granny fiercely and took care of her until the Lord called her home. So many memories I have to cherish. I drove a vehicle for the first time at their house. My Granny’s little white truck with Papa sitting right there guiding me through what was the most exciting moment at my life as a young girl. I stayed every Friday night at their house I could. Papa would wake up every morning at 7am come to a breakfast at the table my Granny would lovingly make for him. He’d then read the morning paper everyday after breakfast. Papa had diabetes and my Granny kept him on a strict diet that helped Papa stay healthy for so many years. The love they shared and marriage they had was one I strived for & use as a guide everyday in my own life. Papa loved his yard and you’d often find him outside gardening, working in his shed or mowing his lawn. He took pride in every task he did. He was a caring and giving man. When my Granny passed away I stayed with him for weeks and we made supper together those nights and reminisced about Granny and the impact she made on us. Papa was my buddy and he’d often tell me I could do no wrong and we’d share a laugh over that because it was usually after I did indeed do something wrong he’d tell me that. His love for me was unconditional. Time nor distance I knew would ever change that. Oh what joy he has now reunited with my Granny. Heaven just became even sweeter.

Mr. Wilson was a kind gentleman, and  a wonderful childhood next-door neighbor to my family for many years.  I recall he invited my siblings and me to  go along with  Donald to Jacksonville’s Consolidation parade downtown Jax. That  was a big event  during the Presidential election of 1968! What a fun time!    As far back as I can remember,  I never heard an unkind word cross his lips, nor do I recall ever seeing  him w/o a big smile on his face.  That is a credit in no small part to his keen sense of humor that fueled his ability to pull  off numerous practical jokes and plot an untold   number of shenanigans  with my brother over the years.    Donald and Connie:  I’m thinking of you tonight.  May the fond memories you made with Mr. Wilson bring a bit of  peace to you as you navigate through this  difficult time.  I am so sorry for your loss.   Rest in Peace Mr. Wilson. 🙏

OBITUARY

Herbert Wallace Wilson

11 June, 1926 – 27 November, 2024

Hardage-Giddens Riverside Funeral Home & Riverside Memorial Park

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