Charles "Charlie" Alvin Wilson

Lt. Col. Charles “Charlie” Alvin Wilson, USAF Retired, of Colorado Springs, Colorado went to be with his blessed Lord and Savior at 90 years young on September 12th, 2023. Charles died peacefully at home surrounded by family members who sung to him his favorite hymns, gave him kisses, told him how much he was loved and appreciated and massaged him when he took his last breath. He was born on July 15th, 1933 to Margaret Powell and Charles Wilson and had three siblings, Peggy Payne, John “Jack” Wilson, and was survived by his brother Edward “Doc” Wilson. He graduated from the University of Kentucky and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture. He was married to Nancy Lee (Johnson) Wilson on August 6th, 1956. Together they had three children, Nancy Lee (Wilson) Townsend married to Bruce Townsend, Jo Anne Wilson married to Robert “Bob” Trudeau, and Brenda Lee (Wilson) Knaus married to Erick Knaus.

Charlie fulfilled his duty to his country by serving in the Air Force military from October 15th, 1956 to October 31st, 1983 (just over 27 years). His service included a two-year Navy exchange tour (1967-1968) in squadron VF-33 on the USS America earning him pilot wings from two services. He began his tour supporting exercises, the Crisis in the Middle East, The Six-Day War and was recalled in flight from a one-way mission to support the USS Liberty when it was attacked by Israeli torpedo boats and jet fighters. In 1968, he was diverted to Da Nang Air Base for a hung bomb and sustained a head injury going into a bomb shelter. He did not file the paperwork because his fellow soldiers were receiving purple hearts for missing limbs and major injuries and did not think it was honorable to receive a medal, showing his great humility. Charlie also served multiple tours in Korea beginning in 1971 where he made regular trips to the DMZ/Panmunjom, South Korea on classified missions. He was an accomplished and decorated Air Force fighter pilot who served/fought by air, sea and ground. Charlie was known as “Jack Rabbit” for his Air Force call sign and “Air Force One” for his Navy call sign as he was the token Air Force guy on the ship.

After his military career, he ran his own business, ABCAP Tax Service, serving many in the Colorado Springs and other areas. He was a member of Heritage Baptist Church as a devout Christian serving as Deacon, Treasurer, Sunday School and Awana teacher for several years and current member of Hilltop Baptist Church of Colorado Springs. Charlie received the Sertoma Club “Man of the Year” award and was involved with several other philanthropic organizations in the Colorado Springs area. He always had a passion for camping, fishing and hunting, even earning the distinction for being his guides’ oldest hunter (at age 89) to bag an elk at his favorite hunting ranch. He owned horses and mules and was loved by all animals and they loved him starting from his early days in 4-H and Future Farmers of America winning the Kentucky State Fair in 1953 for the Champion Shorthorn Blue Grass Fat Stock Show.

Charlie was often found relaxing to sports, westerns, and military programs and was always on the go helping others and being a jolly man that was a best friend to all who knew him. Charlie is survived by his wife Nancy, three daughters Nancy, Jo, and Brenda and the best grandpa to four grandchildren Michael, Jason (his wife Brittany), Heather (her fiancé Erick “Scooter”), and Aden. Charlie was a beloved husband, adored father, amazing grandfather, and awesome great grandfather to Hallie, Logan, Taylor, and great-granddaughter on the way, often adopting many into his own family circle including his four step-grandchildren, and nine step-great grandchildren. He mentored many young men from the Air Force Academy and always treated everyone with love, charity, and unselfish care as one of his own. Charlie is remembered as a faithful servant of God who lived a life of integrity, blessing everyone that had the privilege to know him.

As you might hear his fellow Naval aviators declare as he takes his fini-flight, “Air Force One, lead Root Beer Flight and Touch the Face of God.”

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MtViewMortuary.com for the Wilson family.