Harold Sanford Wilson

A native of Calhoun Falls, S.C., he attended Clemson Agricultural College, receiving a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering Degree 0n June 2, 1941. On that date also, Mr. Wilson was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army. Shortly after graduation, he was ordered to active duty serving three years in the Southwest Pacific Area where he earned three battle stars for the invasions of New Guinea, Biak, and Luzon, Philippines. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his actions during the invasion of Biak.

Mr. Wilson moved to Chattanooga in 1960 to become the Branch Manager of the Chattanooga office of the Liberty Mutual Insurance Company. His career was in the field of Corporate Insurance where he worked first as a salesman and later as an advisor. He retired as Managing Vice President, Chattanooga Office, Alexander & Alexander, Inc., on July 31, 1989.

Mr. Wilson was formerly an active communicant of St. Thaddeus Episcopal Church where he served as Senior Warden and on the Vestry. He is currently a communicant St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.

Colonel Wilson was a member of a number of organizations including The Retired Officers Association; The Walden Club; The Military Order of the World Wars; Reserve Officers Association; The American Legion, Post No 14; Service Corps of Retired Executives; and the Kiwanis Club of Chattanooga (downtown).

Mr. Wilson was a Trustee for 26 years of the Weldon F. Osborne Foundation and President for four years. During his tenure as President, Mr. Wilson was instrument in the Osborne Foundation providing support for the Master in Urban Education Program, University of Tennessee of Chattanooga, which greatly benefited the inner city schools of this city. The Foundation under his tenure also supported the building of the new Salvation Army Citadel in Brainerd.

Mr. Wilson served as Trustee for ten years, including four years as President, of the Tennessee Veterans Homes Foundation which raised money for the residents of the Veterans home in Murfreesboro, Humboldt, and Knoxville, Tennessee. He also served 16 years as a member of the Fort Campbell Retiree Council.

Mr. Wilson was an active volunteer for the Chattanooga National Cemetery. He was a member of the Committee that raised funds for the construction of the Armed Forces Pavilion. He assisted in the design of the Pavilion and supervised the construction.

Mr. Wilson was preceded in death by his first wife, Edith L. Wilson, his second wife, Phyllis E. Wilson, and a granddaughter, Christy Wilson. He is survived by his daughter Frances C. Wilson (Lawrence Adamski) of McKinney, Texas, and his son Sanford L. Wilson (Susan), of Huntsville, Alabama, and three grandchildren, Dr. Catherine Palladino (Christopher), Capt. Christopher Adamski, and Paul Adamski. His stepdaughter Janice E. Jones; two step-grandchildren, Kim Steele (Scott), and Kasha Griffith (Travis); and three step great-grandchildren, Ethan and Grace Steele, and Sarah Griffith also survive him.

The family wishes to thank the nurses and aides at the Ascension Living Valley Residence for their care of Mr. Wilson in his last years. Thanks also go to Josh Youngman of Hearth Hospice for his care and concern. Special and enduring thanks go to Michelle Donnahoo and Jenna Ryan, his Live at Home care managers, who went above and beyond for him. Graveside Funeral services are scheduled at 10:00 am on Friday, July 27th at Chattanooga National Cemetery. There will be no visitation. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association Foundation (www.alzfdn.org) or The Salvation Army of Chattanooga (www.csarmy.org)

Arrangements are under the care of the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson. Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com