Donny Arthur Wilson, age 74 of Stapleton finished his earthly journey on April 8, 2015, ending his battle with cancer, at his home with his wife by his side.
Donny was born August 17, 1940 in Portland, OR to Arthur and Evelyn (Lawpaugh) Wilson. In 1960 he married his first wife and to this union Donnie, Sandra and Scott were born. In May 1991 he married Gloria (Loyd) in Littleton, CO and lovingly accepted Angie (Loyd) Victory as his daughter. Donny and Gloria retired and moved to Stapleton in 2012 to be closer to family. Prior to retirement Donny worked in sales with an emphasis in electrical equipment. As a young man he would always find creative ways to earn money to support his hobbies. He was a cherry picker, malt factory worker, gas station attendant, car detailer, soda jerk, and newspaper delivery boy. He then landed a job in the Iron Works industry. He worked his way up the ladder and eventually took part in the construction of the Ross Island Bridge in Portland. After the Iron Works industry crashed, he began his career in the electrical field. Donny enjoyed all history, but especially the Civil War era, WWI and II, Vietnam, Korean and Iraq Wars and most recently the war on terrorism. He loved to read, especially western novels and enjoyed watching old movies. One of his wife's friends actually wondered if they owned a color television because during a visit to their house he was watching a black and white movie. He loved collecting everything from stamps, to books, to trains, to cars. Being born in the Northwest, he loved the outdoors, hunting, fishing, camping and going on mountain man rendezvous. After he retired, Gloria rescued their dog Snoopy, who became an important part in his life and he loved him very much. He loved to make sure his grandchildren knew their history and would often quiz them. Toward the end of his life, you could often find Donny reading his bible. He professed Jesus Christ as his sole hope of salvation and will therefore spend eternity with his heavenly Father who has promised that whosoever will put their trust in Him will have eternal life.
Donny is survived by his wife Gloria of Stapleton; son Donnie (Kelli) of Beaverton, OR, and their children Jamie, Amber, Christopher, Chrystal, and Nathan; and Donny's great grandchildren Nicholas, Olivia, and Kayley; daughter Sandra (Jim) Berger of Thornton, CO and her son Mike (Jennifer) Elieff and Donny's great grandchildren, Mikey, Alyssa, and Caleigh of Northglenn, CO; son Scott of Oregon and daughter Angie (Travis) Victory of Stapleton and their children Rebecca, Joel, Jordan, Abigail, Charity and Rachel; and his brother Randy of Wilsonville, OR.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested in Donny's name and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com. Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday April 11, 2015 at Gandy Community Bible Church in Gandy, NE with Pastor Frank Scott officiating. Burial will follow at the McCain Cemetery near Stapleton. The family invites you to share a meal with them following the burial at Gandy Community Bible Church. Adams and Swanson Funeral Home is in charge of the funeral arrangements.