Donald Harold Wilson

Born in Gaston County, NC, on August 15, 1928, he was the son of the late Joseph Wilson and Mary Ellington Wilson.

Don grew up in Belmont, NC and joined the United States Navy during World War II. After two of brothers were killed in action, he was discharged but still wanted to serve, so he joined the Army Air Corps and stayed in the military until the end of the war in 1945.

Don began his career as a Constable with then-Sherriff Leroy Reavis and in 1969 he decided to move from public sector to start his own private security firm. He opened the well-known establishment, Wilson Security and operated the business for more than 30 years before turning it over to his daughter, Donna Wilson Campbell, who continues to run it. He was instrumental in private investigating, drug dogs, and was a member of the North Carolina Association of Private Investigators.

He has been described as a dedicated public servant and a man who would do anything for anyone. He had a great sense of humor and often enjoyed playing pranks.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one daughter, Marsha Wilson Walden; one son-in-law, Jerry Campbell; four brothers and two sisters.

Those left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 69 years, Rella Sharpe Wilson; daughter, Donna Wilson Campbell; son-in-law, Douglas Walden; five grandchildren, Sherriff Darren (Stacy) Campbell, Dane (Tamalita) Campbell, Dana (Kevin) Bell, Ryne Douglas Walden and Elizabeth (Jordan) Dobson; six great-grandchildren, Dylan Campbell, Jerry Holden Bell, Summer Marie Bell, Addison Grace Campbell, Graham Michael Campbell and Lawson Cole Campbell and one great-great-grandson, Jason Alexander Campbell.

The family will receive friends Monday, March 14, 2016 from 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM at Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home with the funeral service beginning at 3:00 PM in the Westmoreland Chapel with Rev. Naomi King officiating. Burial will follow at Bethel United Methodist Church Cemetery with military honors.

Memorial donations may be made to Bethel United Methodist Church Cemetery Fund 168 Lookout Dam Road Statesville, NC 28625.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.bunchjohnsonfuneralhome.com.

Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Wilson family.