Charles Franklin Wilson

Pastor Charles Franklin Wilson has gone to meet the Lord and unite with his love, his wife, Mary (Childers) Wilson, as well as others who have gone before. Charles passed away on Sunday, April 2 in Visalia, California. Charles (Brother Charlie) was born in Beaver Dam, Kentucky to Floy and Frank Wilson on November 18, 1919. He was preceded in death by his wife Mary, his parents, and his brother, Don. He is survived by a daughter and her husband, Beth and Dr. Stephen McAuliff of Visalia, California; a son and his wife, Dr. Brady Wilson and Dr. Beth Scottsdale, Arizona; a grandson and his wife, Kristopher and Mary Ellis, and their daughter, Ruby of Peoria, Arizona; and a granddaughter and her husband, Kara and Tyler Tatman, and their daughter Lena. Charles grew up in Harrisburg, Illinois, and upon graduating from high school left to pursue his education at Anderson College in Anderson, Indiana. While going to college and working there, he met his wife Mary at a camp meeting in West Virginia where he was asked to sing. He persuaded her to come to college in Anderson, and within six months they were married. Charles and Mary lived in Anderson for 26 years where they raised their children. During this time he worked for Warner Press (formerly The Gospel Trumpet). In 1969, Charles responded to his first call to be a pastor. They moved to Tulare, California and pastored at the First Church of God where they served for 9 years. Charles loved his times there, and saw growth in the church and the completion of a building program. Charles and Mary then moved to San Jose, California in 1979 after receiving a call to pastor there. Charles retired with Mary in 1985 when they moved to Lodi, California where they lived until 1991. At that time, they built their retirement home and moved to Visalia, California. Charles and Mary found a wonderful church family in Visalia at the First Methodist Church. Charles continued in retirement to fill pulpits when pastors in the area were absent and for the next three years he ministered to seven different congregations. A memorial service will be held Friday, April 21, 10:00 AM at Visalia First United Methodist Church, 5200 W. Caldwell, Visalia, California. At the request of Charles’ family, in lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Charles Franklin Wilson

November 18, 1919 - April 2, 2017