Charles R. "Charlie" Wilson

Charlie Wilson, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 19, 2022 at his nursing home in Georgetown, Indiana. He was 96. Charlie was a World War II Navy Veteran and was best known throughout Kentuckiana for being a retail giant, starting Charlie Wilson’s Appliances in 1953. He is survived by his three children, Krystal McCulloch, Steve Wilson (Dianne) and David Wilson (Debbie), his brother, Bobby Wilson (Deloris), his sister, Shirley Moitoee, his seven grandchildren, Michelle Kepley (Bruce), Michael McCulloch (Amy), Amanda McMonigle (Justin), Adrienne Champine (Leon), Isaiah Wilson, Hannah Creek (Anthony), Leah Rainbolt (Derek) and ten great-grandchildren. Charlie was preceded in death by his devoted wife of 67 years, Wilma Wilson and his brother Joe Wilson. Born in Muhlenberg County, Ky., Charlie Wilson dropped out of high school at the age of 17, to join the U.S. Navy in 1943. After serving in the South Pacific of what is now known as New Hebrides Island, off the coast of Australia, Charlie returned to Kentucky in 1945. With the help of a preacher, he was accepted at Western Kentucky University. He graduated in 1949 with a Bachelor’s degree in English & Biology. Charlie went on to work for Armour Meats, Yellow Pages, and as a dairy delivery man, before the idea of sales put a gleam in his eye. He thought salespeople always seemed to drive nice cars and wear nice clothes, so that settled it! Charlie opened his first appliance store on the corner of Preston Street and Eastern Parkway in Louisville in 1953. Two years later, he moved Charlie Wilson’s Appliances to State Street in New Albany. In 1957, Charlie set up shop on West Market Street, eventually moving again in 1972, to a little further in town East Market Street, today known as NuLu. His retail store stood there until 2015 when Charlie Wilson’s Appliances, TVs and Mattresses relocated across the river to its current location on East Lewis & Clark Parkway in Clarksville. Charlie always kept up with the times, adjusting to fit his customers’ needs. From brand new televisions in the 1950s, to self-defrosting refrigerators in the 60s, microwaves in the 70s, and “big screen” TVs in the 80s! The 1990s kicked off with a bang when satellite TV services emerged. DIRECTV actually made its debut in the Midwest at Charlie Wilson’s store in 1993, with the president of DIRECTV, there himself. While appliances and the physical store location has changed over the years, one thing has remained constant- Charlie always put his customer first. Charlie Wilson founded his company on delivering honest service, quality products, and great customer satisfaction. Charlie was dedicated to taking care of the customers before, during, and after the sale. Over the last few decades, Charlie Wilson was proud to serve such notable customers as Muhammad Ali, UofL Hall of Fame Basketball Coach Denny Crum and Hall of Fame Jockey Pat Day. Visitation for Charlie Wilson will take place on Monday, July 25 from 2:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. and Tuesday, July 26 from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. at Kraft Funeral Home at 708 E Spring Street in New Albany. Funeral service to take place at Kraft Funeral Home on Tuesday at 1:00 P.M. with Bob Russell, Retired Senior Minister from Southeast Christian Church presiding. Charlie will be laid to rest with military honors at Kraft-Graceland Memorial Park, 2778 Charlestown Rd., in New Albany. The family would like to personally thank the entire staff of Azalea Hills Assisted Living and The Villas of Guerin Woods for the care that Charlie received these past couple of years. Donations in the name of Charlie Wilson can be sent to Southeast Christian Church, 920 Blankenbaker Pkwy, Louisville, KY. 40243 or First Southern Baptist Church, 215 Ettels Ln. Clarksville, IN 47129. Charlie loved God, his wonderful family, his church, his country and his beloved Kentuckiana community.