Theodore Wilson

Ted was a native of Atlantic City, NJ, where he attended public schools and graduated from Bordentown High School in 1949. After briefly working as a mechanic, he answered his true calling - which was the love of the sea. In November 1951, he entered the United States Navy where he served 35 meritorious years and achieved the rank of Master Chief, which is the highest rank for an enlisted sailor.

His military career was diverse and eventful, and Ted had many exciting and memorable experiences. It began in Norfolk, VA at Little Creek, where he often told us, “I had never even heard of the place”. In the 1950s, African American sailors had limited career choices: steward or kitchen duty. But Ted never allowed those limitations to keep him from achieving his goals. He soon learned that as a volunteer, he could learn other trades and expand his travels. Ted flew with test pilots in 1974 to evaluate the effects gravitational pull, was an award-winning boxer, and a barber. After his promotion to Master Chief, he served as Commissary Officer in Sigonella, Italy; and Navy Exchange Officer in Sasebo, Japan; Long Beach, CA; Warminster, PA; Brooklyn, NY; Taiper, Taiwan; San Diego CA; and Washington, DC. He also continued his education by completing college courses at Long Beach and San Diego State University in California. After military retirement, he was the Manager of Food Services at the Tropicana Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, NJ.

Ted met his match and his love in his wife, Alberta, and together they led an interesting and active lifestyle with many friends, social events and travel which included over 20 cruises, as well as numerous road trips. He loved fashion and was known for looking his best at all times. The family always said, “You can’t catch him; all you can do is keep him in your sights.” He loved to dance and also had a passion for table tennis, and golf, which he continued to play until his health began to fail.

Ted loved the Lord and previously served as a Deacon at New Hope Baptist Church in Atlantic City, NJ. He was a faithful member of Colossian Baptist Church in Newport News and served as a member of the Pastoral Care Ministry. In addition, he enjoyed membership of the Dochiki Civic and Social Club of Newport News, VA.

He was a father figure to some and an inspiration to many. A strong-willed person who was very outspoken (whether or not you wanted to hear it), Ted always let you know where he stood in any situation. Likewise, he was very loving and unselfishly gave of himself, his time and resources to help his family and friends. He was often called Pop, Dad, and Uncle. To his family, he was lovingly known as “Mr. Ted.”, and to his wife, he was “My Ted”.

The family will miss hearing stories that kept them laughing and in awe of his accomplishments. Sometimes he was not believed until Google and Travel TV proved his stories about things, such as drinking turtle blood and eating Balut (unhatched chicken eggs) in the Asian countries, were truthful.

He was preceded in death by son, Andre Wilson. His memories will be cherished by his wife, Alberta Wilson; sister, Betty Taylor; brother-in-law, Herbert Lee and wife, Pat; children: Jae Jae Velaquez (Moises), Saylor Wilson, Dawn Parker (Nathaniel), and Edward Cliett Sr.; grandchildren, Jerrold Wilson-Young, Jasmine Weisner (Rich), Bobby Burgess Jr. (Brittany), Edward Cliett Jr., Donald Fraizer, Jarvis Homer (Danuneta), Shantel Lawson, and Mercie Clark; great-grandchildren, Jerrold Wilson-Young Jr., Jasmine Wilson-Young, Jade Wilson-Young, Rueben Weisner, Brielle Burgess, and Lucas Cliett, and many other relatives and friends.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 8, 2016, at 1:00 pm at Colossian Baptist Church, Newport News, Virginia.

Friends are encouraged to visit www.parklawn-woodfh.com to share memories and words of condolence with the family.

Arrangements are under the care of Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home, 2551 N. Armistead Ave., Hampton, VA 23666.