Gerald (Gerry) Wilson was born on February 24, 1943 in Chicago, Illinois and passed away from bladder cancer on April 20, 2020 in Green Valley, Arizona.

While growing up in Chicago, Gerry graduated from Fenwick High School in 1960. Shortly after graduating, he began working for the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), beginning his career as a clerk in the law office, working his way up in various accounting and auditing positions. He worked at the CTA for 25 years.

In 1964 he joined the U.S. Marine Corps. This experience shaped him as a person. He was always proud of his time and experience in the military serving our country.

On leave from the Marines, he met the love of his life, Kathleen (Kathy) O'Hern and they married on April 22, 1967. They settled into family life in the suburbs of Chicago and worked hard building a loving family and home together, raising three children - Chris Wilson, Kerry Wilson Schimmelbusch and Jennifer Wilson.

He fulfilled a lifelong dream and moved out to the West Coast in 1986 offering their children better public schools, fresh mountain air, camping, boating and skiing. The family settled in Olympia, Washington where Gerry enjoyed middle-age life, raising kids and enjoying the outdoors. In 1995, he lost his wife, Kathy, after a short battle with lung cancer.

In 2001, he married his current wife, Nancy Wilson and they enjoyed a long and happy marriage together. In 2002, Gerry and Nancy, moved from the rainy Northwest to Green Valley, Arizona to enjoy the endless dessert heat and sunshine, perfecting their golf game together, swimming in their outdoor pool and taking care of many furry children over the years - several small rescue dogs.

Gerry was a loving father, husband, grandpa and friend to many people and touched everyone in a special way throughout his life in Chicago, Olympia and in Green Valley. He had the best sense of humor, the biggest laugh, and the most beautiful Irish twinkle in his eyes. He gave the best hugs and was always a great listener. He enjoyed golfing, cooking and swimming throughout his life and spent his later years working in many beautiful golf courses in the Green Valley area where he made special life-long friends. He loved spending time with his friends in the desert and they often enjoyed playing golf, telling funny stories, and drinking beers together.

Gerry will be greatly missed and mourned by all those who had the opportunity to spend time with him and be part of his life. He touched all of us in a special way.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Alice and Peter Wilson, his older sister Rosemarie Greene, her husband Robert Greene, his older brother Peter and his first wife Kathleen Wilson. He leaves behind many family and friends; his wife Nancy Wilson of Green Valley, AZ, his son, Chris Wilson and his wife, Carla of Rochester, WA; Kerry (Wilson) Schimmelbusch and her husband, Andre of Newcastle, WA; his daughter, Jenny Wilson of Rochester, WA; and his three grandchildren, Kathleen (age 15), Sean (age 11) and Sadie (7). He leaves behind many nieces and nephews, who were like siblings to him, Robert Greene, Roseanne Greene, Patty Greene, Mary Greene and Chris Greene. Gerry also leaves behind his wife Nancy's grown children and grandchildren; Leigh Ann Larsen (Brody, Teague and Mac) Holly DuBois (Jared, Dillon, Brady and Riley) Greg Crayton (Blake Crayton).