William James Wilson

William James Wilson, 76, of Punta Gorda, Florida, passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, March 17, 2014. He had bravely confronted and fought Parkinson's and metastatic melanoma that had spread to his lungs. He was born in Clinton, Massachusetts. Bill was a graduate of Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska and the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary in Berrien Springs, Michigan. He also received a Masters degree in Public Health from Loma Linda University in Loma Linda, California.

Bill was an ordained minister of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and worked in West Virginia, Arizona, Washington, Wisconsin and Minnesota. In his retirement in southwest Florida, he volunteered as Administrative Pastor at the Port Charlotte Adventist Church.

A much-loved husband, father and grandfather, he is survived by his wife of 55 years, Frances Votava Wilson; daughter, Tralese Wilson Syvertson (Paul) of Anoka, Minnesota; son, James Wilson (Darcie) of Cambridge, Wisconsin; grandsons Jamie, Chad and Conner; granddaughters Morgan and Melissa; nephews Leland Y. Wilson, Jr. and Kifford L. Wilson; and nieces Jancie Wilson Clark and Laurie L. Wilson. He was preceded in death by his father, Leland C. Wilson; mother, Edith Yelland Wilson; brother, Leland Y. Wilson, Sr.; and grandson, Ian Paul Syvertson.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 am Sunday, April 6, 2014, at Port Charlotte Adventist Church, 2036 Loveland Boulevard, Port Charlotte, Florida 33980.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Port Charlotte Adventist School (PCAS), 2100 Loveland Boulevard, Port Charlotte, Florida 33980.