William Leonard Wilson

Bill Wilson spent his boyhood in Montrose, California. At age 17, while in high school he joined the Navy ROTC program. He later graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a Bachelor's degree in civil engineering and became a commissioned naval officer. While a student at Berkeley, he met Joann Lee Wheldon. They married on March 7, 1952.

Bill began his Navy career on the island of Kwajalein in the Marshall Islands. He was stationed on both U.S. Coasts multiple times and in Washington D.C., he was attached to the White House staff under presidents Kennedy and Johnson. He was a Vietnam veteran in the Navy Civil Engineer Corps where he commanded a Mobile Construction Battalion of 750 Seabees. He retired as a Navy captain to Hawaii at the age of 43. Bill's next career was with Pacific Construction Co. where he worked for 10 years, and then retired again.

In 1985, Bill and Joann were called by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to serve in Belgrade, Yugoslavia. Tragically, Joann passed away there in 1986. They spent 34 happy years together raising a family, moving around with the Navy, and finally retiring.

In 1989, Bill met and married Michele Marie Marshall. Michele and Bill spent 36 years together, traveling, and serving four more missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They served in Jordan twice, Ghana and England.

Bill was a faithful member of the church, filled with the love of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the love of sharing it with others. He was especially interested in helping people trace their family tree. He was an optimist; humble, generous, frugal and loved a “good deal,” He loved flowers and Hawaii.

Bill is survived by his wife, Michele, children: Linda Holst, Laurie Ransom (Michael), LeeAnn Miyashiro (Bruce), Lane Wilson, and Lisa Fullmer, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by wife, Joann Wilson and grandchildren, Todd Ransom, BJ Fullmer, and Megan Holst.

There will be a viewing Friday, June 26 from 8:30 to 9:45 a.m. at the Keolu Hills LDS Chapel, 1461 Kanapuu Dr, Kailua. The funeral service will be at 10:00, followed by military honors at the church. He will be interred in the National Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl).