Bruce E. Wilson, 71, of Bowling Green, Ohio passed away unexpectedly of a massive stroke surrounded by family and friends at St. Luke’s hospital on Tuesday December 4, 2018 . He was born August 18, 1947 in Wheeling, West Virginia to Willis Wilson and Virginia (Miller) Johnson. He married Jane Steinert in 1972 and together they had two daughters: Christy and Lisa. Jane and Bruce later divorced. In 1988, he married Debbie Panning, blending their families together with her children: Matt and Amy.
Bruce served his country proudly in the United States Army from 1966-1968, spending nine months in Vietnam. In 1969, he started WW Siding Company. By choosing to own his own business, which he owned and operated throughout his life, afforded him the availability to be with his family at any time.
He was a member and served as an usher of St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Bowling Green as well as assisted with the St. Al’s Food Bank. He was a leader for the St. Mark’s Boy Scout Troop, worked with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Toledo, was a CASA advocate, was the assistant fire chief for Middleton Township for 10 years and spent 20 years working with Habitat for Humanity in Wood County. He was also a member of The Knights of Columbus and the American Legion post 45. Following a Cursillo Retreat, Bruce and Debbie worked many teams and were able to offer this experience to others, thus becoming Cursillistas. DeColores!
Bruce enjoyed camping, hiking, raising turkeys, and spending time outdoors participating in any and all activities his family threw his way including skydiving and zip lining. He was jokingly named “Honorary Mayor of Sugar Ridge” as he was always the first to lend a helping hand to all of his neighbors. Family was of upmost importance to Bruce and always his highest priority. His grandchildren were the light of his life, and he loved nothing more than the time spent with each of them.
He was a hardworking man his entire life. His servant heart, giving nature, and humble spirit will be sorely missed by all those who knew him. Bruce was an organ and tissue donor and could potentially help 50 people have a Merry Christmas.
Along with his wife, Debbie, of 30 years, Bruce is survived by his mother Virginia “Ginny” Johnson of Perrysburg, Ohio, daughters Christine Wilson Mockensturm (George Goodrich) of Sugar Ridge, Ohio and Lisa (Brett) Nowery of Spring Arbor, Michigan, son Matt Panning (Kim Dodds) of Rogers, Arkansas, daughter Amy (Randy) Teders of Findlay, Ohio, grandchildren Alissa, Ashley, Abigail, Bella, Logan, Luke, Isaac, Madison, and Jacob. He is also survived by his brothers Fred (Barb) Wilson of Bowling Green, Ohio and Ken Wilson of Weston, Ohio, step-sister Nancy (Brian) Chaney of Port Charlotte, Florida and nephews Jake (Annie) Wilson of Bowling Green, Ohio and Rick Wilson (Brittany Dunn) of Bowling Green, Ohio.
He was preceded in death by his father Willis Wilson and step-father Lester Johnson.
Visitation will be held on Sunday December 9, 2018 from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Dunn Funeral Home, located in the Historical District of Bowling Green at 408 West Wooster St. “The Last Call” will be presented by the Middletown Township Fire Department, followed by a prayer service and sharing to begin Sunday evening at 7:30 p.m. at the funeral home.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday December 10, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, 150 S. Enterprise St. in Bowling Green. Father Mark Davis will officiate. Interment will follow at Union Hill Cemetery in Bowling Green where full military honors will be rendered by the Wood County Honor Detail.
Bruce had plans to assist in the renovations of the St. Aloysius Preschool, and the family asks that memorial contributions be given in his honor to St. Aloysius to assist in completion of this project. Please also consider contributing to Life Connection Organ Donations or a charity of the donor’s choice.
To share an online condolence or fond memory with the Wilson family please visit www.dunnfuneralhome.com.
