Elias Ream Wilson

Elias Ream Wilson, 83, of Palm Harbor, Florida passed away on October 19, surrounded by his family. Wilson was born in Montvale, New Jersey on April 16, 1939, to Elias Ream Sr. and Helen Wilson. Raised from age 7 in Tampa, he played multiple sports for Jefferson High School, and was a competitive tennis player for the rest of his life. He earned his B.A. degree from the University of Tampa and a Masters from the University of South Florida. Wilson was a playground director and manager for the City of Tampa Parks and Recreation Department for 10 years. Moving to Clearwater in 1967, he held various management positions with the Parks and Recreation department. He was promoted to Director in 1978 and continued in that role until his retirement in 1997. Under his leadership, the city added more than 1,000 acres of public parks, four recreation complexes, numerous recreation centers, pools, and public sporting venues, including Jack Russell Stadium. During his tenure, the city also planted at least 40,000 trees, and added popular recreation trails, including a trail running east to west from Tampa Bay to Clearwater Beach. After his retirement, the trail became The Ream Wilson Trail. He worked closely with the ownership and management of the Philadelphia Phillies, assuring the team kept its spring training operations in Clearwater. At his retirement in 1997, he was called “the spirit of the parks and recreation department.” He met his future wife, Sylvia Carter, at Jefferson High and they were married for 64 years. She survives him, along with his children, Lori Barlow (Michael) and Michael Wilson (Dahlene), and his grandchildren Tyler and Brooke Barlow, Jacob, Carter (Martha) and Samantha Wilson and Greyson McNeil. A memorial service will take place on Sunday, October 23rd at Sylvan Abbey Memorial Park in Clearwater. Visitation is at 1 p.m., followed by a memorial service at 2.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Clearwater for Youth or No Dog Forgotten Animal Rescue.

https://nodogforgotten.com/ https://cfypinellas.org/donate/

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.sylvanabbey.com for the Wilson family.