Don was born and raised in Clinton, MA. He graduated from high school in 1958 and went on to receive a BA from Boston College in 1962. He joined the ROTC program while at BC, enlisted in the Army after graduation, and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant.
After graduation he married his first wife Agnes J. (McCarthy) in 1963. Don served in Germany where his son Edward was born, and they traveled extensively throughout Europe. He also served in Korea, achieving the rank of Major. Don retired from active duty and moved to Scituate, MA where his daughter Suzanne was born. He continued to serve in the Army Reserves and was given an honorable discharge in 1984.
Don worked for the Equitable Insurance Company and the National Federation of Independent Business. He ended his career as a therapist after having graduated from Boston University with a Master’s in Social Work.
Don eventually moved to Cape Cod and settled in West Harwich, MA and was married to his loving wife Sheila (Bohen) Wilson for 32 years before her death in 2024.
He was predeceased by his sisters Joan Pappas and Marilyn Wilson. Don is survived by his son Edward Wilson (wife Judith) of Brewster, MA, and his daughter Suzanne Pierce of Brewster, MA; his grandchildren Braden, Hannah, and Eli Wilson, and Jacob and Emma Pierce. He also leaves his stepchildren Dr. Erin Bohen (Peter Braviak) of Rockville, MD; Kara Collin (Jeff) of Needham, MA; Bill Bohen (Lania)of Old Tappan, NJ; and Patrick Bohen of Randoph, NJ; and their children Lindsay, Caroline, Mathew, Ryan, Arina, Liam James, Luke, and Grace.
Visiting hours will take place on Monday November 23, 2026, from 9:30-10:30 AM at Doane Beal & Ames Funeral Home 260 Main Street (Route 28) West Harwich, MA followed by an 11 AM Funeral Mass at Holy Trinity Church, 248 Main Street (Route 28) West Harwich, MA. A committal service with US Army Military Honors will follow at Holy Trinity Memorial Wall.
