Richard Wilson
Obituary
Richard Oliver (R.O.) Wilson was
cleared for takeoff to the wild blue yonder on Nov. 27, 2018. He
passed as he lived - without undo fuss or bother.
He was born Jan. 22, 1924, in Kansas
City, where he graduated from Westport High School. After graduation,
he entered the Army Air Corp and trained as a Bombadier and Radar
Operator. He spent time in Germany as a radar operator during the
Berlin Airlift, as well as time in Japan.
He met Helen Elizabeth Livengood while
they both served in the Air Force in San Antonio, where they were
married in May of 1952. After his discharge, he worked at Lone Star
Brewery until moving to Kansas City in 1959, where he joined the
Federal Aviation Agency as an Air Traffic Controller.
The family moved to Salina in 1966,
where he helped open the new control tower there. Shortly after he
retired, Ronald Reagan fired all the air traffic controllers and R.O.
went back to work for another few years because somebody had to do
it. Somewhere along the line they retired to Newton, bought an RV,
travelled around the country for a while, sold it and travelled the
country by train - the other great interest in his life besides
aviation.
He lived his life as an example: be
honorable, be truthful, do the right thing. He was hilarious, loving
and hilarious again. He will be remembered fondly with more than a
few chuckles.
He was preceded from this world by his
parents, George Oliver Wilson and Louise (Durham) Wilson.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years
and six months, Helen; children, John Richard (Janet), Barb (Chuck)
Newman - technically a foster daughter, but a real daughter to him -
and Carol (Terry) Lee; grandchildren: Richard Aaron, Mark, Kate, John
Elliot, Lindy and Mitchell; and great-grandchildren: Jacob, Ava,
Brynnlie and Noah.
No service is scheduled at this time.
Petersenfamilyfuneralhome.com.
