John W. Wilson

JOHN W. WILSON, age 87, of Glen Arm, MD, formerly of Bel Air, died on March 31, 2008 at Arden Court Assisted Living in Towson, MD. Born January 5, 1921 near Whiteford, MD, he was the oldest child of the late George D. and Lucy H. Schuster Wilson. In 1942 he went to work for Glenn L. Martin Company, where he rapidly rose through the ranks to become a flight engineer and test co-pilot. He then went on to serve our country in the U.S. Air Force. Following his time in the Air Force he returned to the Glenn L. Martin Company to work on the B26 Bomber program, serving as a crew member on many test flights. In 1943 he married Clara Roberts. In 1952 they purchased the property at Del Haven which was a motel, hotel, restaurant and gas station; which became Del Plaza in 1965. He operated this with his wife until 2002. He was a lifetime member of Highland Presbyterian Church, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, Havre de Grace Rotary Club, and the American Legion in Bel Air. He served on multiple Harford County Boards for 35 years which included, Metropolitan Commission, Economic and Development Advisory Board, Airport Commission, Salvation Army Board, and the Civil Air Patrol. He also served on the Board of Directors for Fallston General Hospital, Maryland National Bank, and the Better Business Bureau of Maryland. On January 4, 2005, he was proclaimed a Harford County Living Treasure.

Mr. Wilson is survived by his wife of 64 years, Clara Roberts Wilson of Glen Arm, MD; three children, John W. Wilson Jr. and his wife, Ginny, of Orlando, FL, Lucy W. Hollens and her husband, Thomas, of Bel Air, MD, and Stanley R. Wilson and his wife, Janet, of Quantico, MD; a brother, George D. Wilson Jr. and his wife, Debbie, of Oviedo, FL; brother-in-law, Samuel Q. Tharpe of Pylesville, MD; eight grandchildren, four great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a son, Stephen H. Wilson and a sister, Mary Louise Tharpe.

Pallbearers will be his grandsons, Kyle Hollens, John Philip Wilson, David Hollens, Michael Burns, and Abraham McKnight.

Contributions may be made to the Highland Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund, 701 Highland Road, Street, MD 21154.