Joe Allan Wilson

Joe Allan Wilson was born in Memphis, TN on November 17, 1932. He lived with his parents, Robert and Thelma Wilson in TN, NC, OH, TX and AR, he accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior at an early age. He graduated from Lincoln, AR high school in 1950 and from John Brown University in 1952 with a mechanical engineering degree. He was hired by Cessna Aircraft Company in Wichita, Kansas as a test and design engineer and served with them for thirty-six years. He worked on the minute man trailer and designed parts of the XT37 & 38. He was the project engineer of the Cessna 210, 220 and 411 and on the steering committee for the Cessna Citation I, II & III. Joe earned his private pilot and instrument rating, and a Master of Business Administration Degree from Wichita State University while at Cessna. He was made Manager of Engineering Administration and among many responsibilities headed up Cessna’s first computer department, FCC Certifications, accident investigation division and company reorganization.

Joe met Ruth at John Brown University and they were married in the Moody Church in Chicago in 1955 and were married for sixty-one years. They had four sons, David in 1956, Daniel in 1959, Stephen in 1961 and Joel in 1963. During the years in Wichita Joe and Ruth sponsored jr.high youth for nine years and a high school Bible Quiz team for eight years taking young people to competition in MO and to yearly competitions at IFCA conventions. Joe served as adult Sunday School Teacher for thirty-five years, ten years at Evangelical Covenant Church where he was also church chairman and for twenty- five years at Calvary Bible Church where he was deacon, church chairman and building construction superintendent.

He helped Ruth establish a parent controlled K-8 accredited Christian School, Wichita Independent Christion School where Ruth was principal for three years and Christian Challenge School K-12, and another Christian accredited school where Joe was a board Chairman and Ruth was principal for seventeen years. They took retirement in 1989 and travelled for two years in their motor home with jeep attached to 49 states (Hawaii by plane) and to most Canadian provinces. They purchased a home in 1991 in Briargate in Colorado Springs where they lived for twelve years, and then at 6854 Prince Dr. where they have lived for the past thirteen years. During these years they have enjoyed family and friends and have travelled to seventy countries. In Colorado Springs Joe served as deacon, church chairman and on building committee for church expansion for Faith Evangelicals Free Church, and as an Elder at Mesa Hills Bible Church. God has been faithful to Joe and Ruth to give them a full life and are most blessed to know that all their family members are serving the Lord Jesus who they love. Someday there will be a joyous family reunion in glory.

Gifts may be made to: Mesa Hills Bible Church 615 W. Uintah Street Colorado Springs, CO 80905