Charles Edwin Wilson was born on April 3rd, 1928, in Seattle, Washington to Earl and Asta Wilson. By the time he was in his early teens Chuck was already working at various jobs including delivering papers and stocking shelves at the local Safeway. He attended Roosevelt High School and graduated in 1946. He enjoyed his high school years and had many great stories about playing quarterback on the football team and serving as Student Body President in his senior year.
After high school Chuck, who was known as “Horse” to his close friends, attended the University of Washington beginning in 1946. He was active in the Beta Theta Pi fraternity as well as rowing on the UW intramural crew. He maintained many lifelong friendships from those college years and he remained a Husky fan for the rest of his life.
He graduated from the UW with a degree in business in 1950 and married Margaret Phillipson in the same year. They were married for 28 years and had two sons, Todd and Bruce. Chuck was hired as a salesman for US Steelright out of college and he worked in that industry for about 15 years. He was eventually transferred to Palo Alto, California in the early 1960’s where they raised their two boys.
Chuck was involved with the YMCA most of his life. When the family settled in Palo Alto Chuck became very active at the local YMCA and helped to form a youth group called the Gra-Y’s. Chuck and the boys were involved with many activities and summer camps at the “Y”. Chuck served on the board of directors for many years, ultimately becoming Board President of the Palo Alto YMCA.
In 1966 Chuck decided to pursue a new career as a stockbroker. He spent six weeks in New York training for the new career. This is where he learned to make a “Perfect Manhattan”. Many friends and family have enjoyed fascinating stories and discussions while sipping the famous cocktail with Chuck. He was ultimately very successful in the brokerage business and was one of the first brokers to become a Certified Financial Planner, a title he was very proud of.
In 1982 Chuck married Nancy Smith, whom he met at his Palo Alto brokerage office. They were happily married for 42 years. They attended church every Sunday and enjoyed singing in the choir in both Palo Alto and Coupeville. They enjoyed many adventures together including choir tours to the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and Israel. Chuck was also the treasurer of the Coupeville United Methodist Church for several years. When he retired at the age of 72, Chuck and Nancy moved permanently to Whidbey Island where they enjoyed all that Coupeville had to offer.
Chuck passed away peacefully at the age of 95 on February 10th, 2024, with his loving wife Nancy at his side. He is survived by his wife Nancy and her three children, Kevin, Kelley and Kim, his two siblings Alice and Evans and his two sons, Todd and Bruce. He will be remembered for his unwavering love of family and his commitment to community service. He was truly an inspiration to all of us who knew him.
A Celebration of Chuck’s Life will be held 11:30 am on Saturday, April 6 at the Coupeville United Methodist Church.
