Robert M. Wilson

Robert M Wilson

Robert M (Bob) Wilson of Lewisville, TX passed away Saturday, July, 3, 2004 after a brief illness, and true to his Irish luck was in heaven thirty minutes before the devil knew he was dead. Born into an Irish family in Warren, OH on May 21, 1926 to Robert and Margaret Wilson, he in so many ways embodied the Irish spirit of honesty, integrity, hard work, and a natural love of life; he loved everything Irish.

He attended Harding High School in Warren, OH where he played football, baseball, and boxed, although he quit in his senior year to join the army. During World War II he served his country gallantly having fought in Europe during the Ardennes, Central Europe, and the Rhineland campaigns.

A natural leader of men, he was promoted to platoon sergeant, ultimately receiving the rank of Sergeant First Class. Experiencing extensive combat, he was with one of the first groups of American GI's to cross the Rhine River and later was with one of the first groups to link up and meet the Russian army in Germany. He also helped to liberate many of the POW and concentration camps in Central Europe and Germany.

After the war he was offered an officer's commission to stay in the army but declined and went home, where he met and married the love of his life, Audrey Bevard of Carnegie, PA. Together they had five children: Ellen, Jim, Tom, Nancy, and Jerry. Like his father before him, he went to work in the steel mills and was a longtime foreman of Republic Steel's Warren, Ohio steel mill, where he was employed for 35 years.

After Audrey's death in 1985, he traveled and loved to spend time with friends and family, especially his four grandchildren. Bob had a wonderful life.

He is survived by his oldest daughter, Ellen Nadiak and her husband Phil Nadiak of Butler, PA, his youngest daughter Nancy Kneer and her husband David Kneer of Carrollton, TX, and youngest son Jerry Wilson of Irving, TX; granddaughter Jill Gurdak of Grand Rapids, MI, grandson Jeff Nadiak of Butler, PA, granddaughter Erin Barbutes and grandson Connor Kneer of Carrollton, TX; dearest sister Martha Calvey, nephews Pat and Tim Calvey, and niece Kathy Calvey, all of Warren, OH. Bob is preceded in death by his sons James Wilson and Thomas Wilson.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM Thursday, July 8, 2004 at McFarland and Son Funeral Home, 271 North Park Avenue, Warren, OH 44481. Friends may call at the funeral home 6:00 to 8:00 PM Wednesday and 10:00 to 11:00 AM Thursday. Inurnment will take place at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery. Material contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 840 Southwestern Run, Youngstown, Ohio 44514.

Send condolences and view this obituary at www.mcfarlandfuneral.com .