Thomas Donald Wilson

March 13, 1923 – January 27, 2020

The Greatest Generation lost one its greatest on January 27th. Major Thomas Donald Wilson, USAF, known as “Don” to his family and friends, passed away quietly in his home on Steamboat Island, Washington. He was 96 years old. Don was the middle child of 8 children born to Grover and Ruby Wilson and was the last survivor among his siblings.

Don was passionate about many things but was especially proud of his service in the Army Air Corp during World War 2 and the Air Force that was born from that conflict. Don enlisted in the Army prior to the bombing at Pearl Harbor and was stationed outside San Francisco in 1941, serving alongside the actor Jimmy Stewart. When the war came, Don volunteered for pilot training. After training in Arizona, Don flew numerous bombing missions over Germany in the cockpit of a B-26 Marauder, flying especially dangerous missions against the revolutionary ME-262 fighter jets Germany unleashed as the war ended.

Don returned to the U.S. at the end of World War 2, but returned to Germany just a few years later, flying cargo planes in support of the Berlin Airlift. He told stories of the dangers of flying planes heavily laden with coal for the West Berliners to use to heat their homes in the winter of 1949.

In April of 1951 Don married Audrey Wilson and they remained happily married for nearly 70 years. Audrey and Don moved many times with the Air Force, serving in Europe, the Caribbean, and all over the United States. Don, Audrey, and their daughter Libby came to McChord Air Force Base in the early 1960s. Don retired from the USAF as the Chief of Operations Flight of the 62nd Civil Engineer Squadron, but served another 33 years as the civilian Operations Chief before retiring from Civil Service in 1993, having served his country for over 53 years. During his career he earned a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Puget Sound and a Master of Business Administration at Pacific Lutheran University. He is well-remembered as an officer and mentor who selflessly encouraged and inspired junior officers and enlisted airmen around him.

Don was a devoted, loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He loved to play golf and racquetball and played both well into his 80s. He loved to fish, was an avid reader, and loved to stay in touch online with all the many who he served with. He loved a good story, and could entertain others for hours on end with his adventures both at home and abroad.

Don leaves behind a family that loves him dearly: his bride, Audrey, his daughter Libby and son-in-law Rocky Oglesbee, 2 adoring granddaughters, Sarah Homan (husband Andrew Homan) Jennifer Starnes (husband Shaun Starnes), and 4 great-grandchildren: Benjamin (15) and Nicholas (12) Homan, and Audrey (11) and Rylee (9) Starnes.