COLUMBUS, INDIANA
Gene E. Wilson, 80, a resident of Columbus, Indiana, passed from this life at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, December 18, 2022, at his home.
Gene was born in Columbus, January 6, 1942, the son of Herman Edward and Dorothy Marie Smith Wilson. On August 20, 1960, Gene married Beverly L. Fields; she preceded him in death December 30, 2021.
Gene graduated in 1960 from Columbus High School. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War; he was a combat engineer and the oldest member of his platoon. He rose to the rank of Specialist 5 and he received the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and the Vietnam Campaign Medal.
Early in life, Gene was a plumber and worked at Reliance Electric. He then started a 21 year career as a firefighter for the Columbus Fire Department. In 2001, Gene and Beverly built and started Wilson’s Kennel, a business they would own and operate until 2009 before retiring and turning the business over to their family.
Gene enjoyed membership in the Jennings County Church of Christ. He enjoyed boating, water skiing, camping, and cutting wood. He also enjoyed spending time in his pool and he was a good dancer and roller-skater. It was said that Gene was a ‘busy body” and was always looking for project to conquer.
Surviving to cherish his memory are his children, Kelly Wilson Lucas and her husband, Curtis of Columbus and Glen Wilson of Columbus; granddaughters, Lacey Walp, Lydia (Luke) Walker, and Lindsey Wilson (Keegan Van Osdol); siblings, Gary Wilson, Sharon (Larry) Kelley, Barbara Shouse, Connie Ballard, and Carolyn (Pat) Harden; and many nieces, nephews, and extended family. Gene is also survived by his faithful companion, his dog, Roxy.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Beverly; brother, James Edward Wilson; and his sister, Brenda Walker.
The funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, December 21, 2022, at Barkes, Weaver &Glick Funeral Home on Washington Street; the Reverend Marcus Speer will officiate. A live stream of the funeral service can be seen at barkesweaverglick.com. Family and friends may gather for a time of visitation from 11 a.m. until service time Wednesday at the funeral home. The Columbus Fire Department will provide an honor guard to Gene during the visitation.
Gene will be laid to rest next to his wife in Section 91 at the Garland Brook Cemetery. Full military rites will be presented by the Bartholomew County Veterans Honor Guard.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Bartholomew County Humane Society or the Firemen’s Cheer Fun.
Condolences and special memories may be shared with the Wilson family and a video tribute may be seen at barkesweaverglick.com.
