Arnold Bennett Wilson

Arnold “Bennett” Wilson, 82, passed away September 23, 2018. He was born March 19, 1936 in Lottie, AL to Robert Brewster Wilson and Addie Dunn Wilson. After graduating from Baldwin County High School, he owned and operated a gas station in Atmore, AL. In 1956 he enlisted in the United States Air Force, embarking on a career that took him all over the world including tours of duty in Germany, Vietnam, the Philippines, Thailand, and the Pentagon. He received numerous awards including, but not limited to, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Air Force Presidential Unit Citation, and Vietnam Service Medal. However, his fondest and most memorable military time was spent at the White House Communications Agency traveling with the President and Vice President during the Reagan/Bush administration. He retired from the Air Force in 1984 and moved his family to Pensacola, FL. There he began a career with the Department of Environmental Protection and retired after 24 years of service. He was an avid baseball fan and played for the Air Force team in Germany during his younger years. He played softball with his DEP team well into his sixties and had no trouble keeping up with his much younger teammates! During his retirement years, he and Ginger enjoyed travelling, taking cruises, and especially spending vacations in the Smoky Mountains, taking in the beautiful scenery and attending gospel music performances. Many weekday mornings you would find him at Hardees, wearing one of his many Crimson Tide t-shirts, trading stories and solving the world’s problems with his coffee buddies until it was time to head to Walmart for a little grocery shopping or to pick up a prescription. During the Fall he spent considerable time in the woods of his hunting camp, though we teased him that he should just carry a camera instead of a gun, for we believe he relished the time in nature much more than the actual hunting. He also enjoyed weekends at the Equestrian Center watching Charlotte compete in horse shows. He was a lover of vanilla ice cream, and we’re certain Blue Bell stock has plummeted since his passing. As “Pop-Pop,” he had a weakness for spoiling his grandson, Michael, and was particularly fond of secretly slipping him candy, coins, and dollars after church on Sundays! He was a member of Olive Baptist Church, where he was the self-imposed purveyor of donuts for his beloved Sunday School class. Rain, wind, or illness rarely prevented him from that task! He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Raymond Wilson and Kenneth Wilson, his sister, Ruth Rowland, and his twin sister, Bernice Simmons. He is survived by his loving wife, Ginger Dykes Wilson; his two daughters who adored him, Melissa Stone and her husband Robert, Martha Wilson (Jason), and grandson, Michael, all of Pensacola; his brother, Charles Wilson, of Decatur, AL; special niece, Sheila Richerson and her husband, Rick, of Spanish Fort, AL. Additionally, he is survived by cherished extended family including Chuck and Kelley Thompson, and their daughter, Charlotte; Jeff and Diane Ealy and their grandchildren, Dominic, Caden, Savannah, and Amelia, and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, step-children, and step-grandchildren. Ben Wilson worshipped his savior, Jesus Christ. He loved his family and he loved his country. His generosity knew no boundaries as he quietly gave to anyone in need! He was a kind, humble, and gentle soul. He was dearly loved and will be missed beyond measure. A memorial service will be held Tuesday, October 2, at 11:00 at Faith Chapel Funeral Home South, with a visitation beforehand from 10:00 to 11:00. A funeral escort will proceed to Barrancas National Cemetery for inurnment with full military honors at 12:30. Memorial contributions in his name may be made to the Ministry Village at Olive Baptist Church or to Lottie New Home Perpetual Care Cemetery, c/o Paul Benton, 22481 Lottie New Hope Road, Atmore, AL 36502. The family wishes to thank the nurses and staff of Gulf Breeze Hospital for their compassionate care.

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Arnold Bennett Wilson

March 19, 1936 - September 23, 2018