Dennis D. Wilson, 72
1949-2021
Dennis Duane Wilson, a devoted partner, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, was called home by his beloved Lord on October 27, 2021. Denny, of Dover, Delaware, died of organ failure at the age of 72.
He was born in Rawlins, Wyoming, on April 7, 1949, to Benjimen and Arlene Wilson. When he was just a few weeks old, he became sick with double pneumonia, and he was pronounced dead for several minutes. He was revived by an iron lung and the prayers of his parents, and he lived his life counting every moment after as a blessing that he never took for granted.
He met Jeannie Boemler in California, and they were married on June 24, 1973, in Las Vegas. They converted a city bus into a home long before the nomadic life was popular, and they lived with two young kids for a year in Mexico. They then moved to Delaware, where nine more children joined the family. Denny and Jeannie's marriage ended after 33 years, but they always remained close. They said their last goodbyes on Wednesday at 9 pm, and an hour later he was gone.
Denny founded two companies, Mr. Tire Service Center and Integrity Tire, where he worked for many years. He was a longtime fan of the Atlanta Braves, even dreaming of serving as their chaplain, and he was confident of their World Series win (he's surely talking to the big guy about making that happen right now).
In 2003, after a long illness, Denny received a liver transplant. It was another chance at life, and he embraced the opportunity to grow closer to his family, watching his children and then grandchildren grow. When he was offered another transplant in 2016, he declined, saying he had already used his extra time to the fullest and it was someone else's turn to experience that miracle.
He loved calling his children and grandchildren on their birthdays. He lived in bright color, always quick to smile and laugh. He basically invented the dad joke - he delighted in making others laugh, and the goofier, the better.
He is remembered as steadfast and reliable; you could always count on his reaction, whether good or bad. He had an incredibly strong work ethic and a deep commitment to providing for his family, including those he adopted as family.
He always strove to be honorable and respectful toward everyone he encountered. He was known for seeing the good in everyone, and helping anyone who was ready for a new start in life. He was always bringing home people who needed a place to stay or a holiday meal. When you became his friend, you became his family as well.
He was driven by his desire to serve God and those around him. Loving other people was his greatest ministry.
He is survived by his loving family: Jeannie Wilson; their children, Chelsea Morningstar, Ben Wilson, Hannah West (Robert), Stephen Wilson, Melody Schreiber (Jackson), Dennis Wilson (Kristin), Aimee Harding, and Emily Wilson; his grandchildren, Chloe, Kenneth, Naomi, Koren, Liam, Mason, Angela, David, Ridley, Lydia, Noah, Cole, and Damari; his sisters, Beatta Johnston and Rhoda Dakin; and his nieces and nephews, including his first nephew Larry, who always had a special place in his heart.
He was preceded in death by his daughters, Angela and Gloria, and his son, Casey Wilson, as well as his brother, Terry Wilson. They all welcomed him home to Heaven, where he traded the pains of this life for everlasting joy.
A celebration of his life will be held on November 14, 2021 at 2 p.m., at Community Vision Fellowship COGOP, 34 King Avenue, New Castle, DE. His family and friends will gather outdoors to celebrate his memory.
To honor Denny, in lieu of flowers or donations, please consider becoming an organ donor.
Colossians 3:12-14
"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."