Donald E. Wilson Sr.

Donald Edward Wilson, Sr. was born July 28, 1937 to the late Ira E. and Mary Brown Wilson in Warwick, Maryland. He was called to his eternal home in Heaven on September 14, 2021 at Christiana Care Hospice in Newark, Delaware.

Raised in Warwick, Maryland, Donald received his early education from schools in Cecil County, later graduating from George Washington Carver High School in 1956. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the United States Air Force.

On February 16, 1957, he was united in holy matrimony to the love of his life, Henrietta Fields. From this union, five children were born: Karen Denise, Donald Edward, Jr., Tina Maria, Dwayne Edmund and Darryl Edwin.

While in the service, he was stationed in Wyoming and New Mexico, before being honorably discharged in 1960. After serving his country, he relocated to Middletown, Delaware. Donald worked as a battery operator at Johnson Controls, before starting his career at Daimler-Chrysler. At Chrysler, he worked in various departments; even test-driving the much-anticipated Dodge Viper. It was then that after 33-1/2 dedicated years, he retired from Chrysler in the mid-1990s.

Not able to keep still after retirement, Donald became a night janitor at different office buildings. He was a maintenance worker for Arbor Management Apartment Complexes. He later drove the meal truck and delivered food to the schools within the Appoquinimink School District. He finally retired from all duties in 2019.

Donald was a member of Trinity A.M.E. Church, where he served on the Steward and Trustee boards, sang with the Men of Valor and the Sanctuary Choir. His civic duties included serving on the Variance Board for the Town of Middletown.

During his off time, Donald and his wife, affectionately known as Henny, enjoyed helping others, going on road trips, cruises and family vacations. He also chauffeured his wife and the Golden Girls (Marjorie Clark and Barbara D. Young.) When at home, he enjoyed watching old black and white movies, Westerns & game shows, as well as playing games on his tablet. As a die-hard Philadelphia Eagles fan, you could catch him watching the game in his recliner, where sometimes the game or other shows were actually watching him. When Donald was not tinkering or fixing something in his shed, you could find him spending quality time with his family and friends on his deck.

There was not one person that came in contact with Donald that didn't love him. He was a proud husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great grandfather, brother, cousin, uncle and friend to many.

Donald was preceded in death by his parents, Ira E. and Mary Wilson; two brothers, Lilbert R. Waters and Orie J. Wilson; one sister, Alice V. Garnett; and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law and friends whom he loved dearly.

Donald leaves to cherish his memory, wife of over 64-1/2 years, Henrietta F. Wilson; children, Karen Brathwaite (Rogelio, Sr.), Donald Wilson, Jr. (Eunicseia Johnson), Tina Wilson-Williams (Julius), Dwayne Wilson (Vesteria) and Darryl Wilson, Sr. (Wanda); grandchildren, Kenya Akins (Julian), J'ne Brathwaite, Ira Wilson, LaToya Meadows (Nelson), Sheena Williams, Darrylyn Williams (Joseph), DeVonta Wilson, Darryl Wilson, Jr. and Arielle Wilson; great-grandchildren, Lauren, Cameron, Z'yaire, Z'yione, Baseer, Airyana, Zykeia, Sanaa, Ziyah, Jaiden, Jordan, Kaden, N'Kyra, Sahri, Alaina, Jayahni, Jasiah and Skylar; great-great grandchildren; Harmony and Haidyn; one brother, William Wilson; in-laws, Nellie Wilson, Irving Young, Jr., Maxine Young, Barbara A. Young, Mary Newman, Joseph Newman, James Walker, Roland Waters (Effie) and Vincent Waters (Alberta).

Donald also leaves to cherish his memory, godson, Usef Dickerson; devoted cousins, Floyd Purnell (Dot), Lawrence Berry, Sr., Wilson Haman, III (Jane); special friends, William Dickerson, Albert "Sam" Hopkins, "The Golden Girls" - Marjorie Clark & Barbara D. Young, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other family members and friends.


For those that will be unable to attend Pop Donald's funeral, the Zoom link is posted below.