Remembering the life of Allen Wilson Sr. (2024)

Allen E. Wilson Sr. passed away Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017, at his home surrounded by his loving wife of 55 years and his dear children. Allen, lovingly known as "Gene" by many, was born May 26, 1940, to William A. Wilson and Mary L. Smith in Kokomo. Gene was a hard -working man throughout his life. He had formerly owned Wilson's Mobile Home Service. He was also the co-founder of Competition Auto Body before his retirement. Even after retirement, Gene cherished his time spent woodworking, tending and mowing the lawn on his John Deere tractor, helping his family and friends, and tinkering on home improvement projects. Gene loved and respected nature and enjoyed his time spent outdoors. He was a longtime member of National Birmingham Rollers Club and raised Roller Pigeons. He loved fishing for crappie and sharing the catch with others. Many days he could be found on the porch smiling and visiting with family and friends, swimming in his pool, or admiring another magnificent sunset. He also loved watching for and hoping to see that first robin of spring before his daughter did. He loved classic cars and the special times spent in the back yard with his kids and grandchildren. He loved watching NASCAR and IndyCar Racing and cheering for IU basketball and Colts football. He was a beloved Deacon of In His Image Church. He loved his Pastor, Brad Swain, and the congregation, and he volunteered joyfully and selflessly in service to his Lord. He especially loved visiting those in the hospital and nursing homes. Gene never got tired of telling the story of how he met the love of his life. He never tired of talking about her beauty. He would always say the moment he saw her, his heart dropped to his feet and he knew he would be married to her. That day came to be when he finally married Vickie (Hogan) Wilson on September 23rd, 1961. He was wildly in love with her until the day he passed 55 years later. Their devotion to each other was charming, tireless and inspiring and will live on through their family, and everyone given the privilege to witness it. Gene loved to recite this poem to his beloved wife Vickie, "I do believe that God above created you for me to love. He picked you out from all the rest because he knew l'd love you best." Gene never met a stranger; and if you had been lucky enough to meet him, you would have probably left as a friend, or an adopted family member. Gene not only taught us all how to live, he taught us how to love. He liked to say "I love you the mostest." Over time, it became a race for who would say it first. He dearly loved and was truly proud of his children, Janelle (Mike) Ingle, Allen (Jamie Nichols) Wilson Jr. and Ronnie Wilson; his grandchildren, Matthew Wilson, Allen E. (Shannon) Wilson III, Christopher Ingle, Michael (Becca) Wilson, Christopher Allen (Sabra) Wilson, Jordan Ingle, Melissa Franks (Joey Garrett), Evan Wilson (Jonnah Thatcher), Darren Hizer, Drake Hizer; and his great-grandchildren, Olive Ingle, Kaedence Gertiser, Elijah Wilson, Zyrus Garrett, Miss Ella Wilson, Samuel Eugene Wilson, Henry Allen Wilson. He also loved his sisters Wilma Sullivan, Lorraine Moore, Beth Wilson, and his brother Louis Wilson and all his nieces and nephews. Allen Eugene Wilson Sr. knew how to love.
Funeral services for Gene will be 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017, at In His Image Church, 2940 E. 50 N., Kokomo. Pastor Brad Swain will officiate. Burial will follow at Kokomo Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the church. In lieu of flowers, Gene's wishes were for memorials to be directed to the church building fund. This was something dear to his heart for his church to be finished. Envelopes will be available at the church. You may read Gene's obituary at www.ellersmortuarymainstreet.com where you can sign the guestbook, order flowers, or share a personal message to the family.

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Published on January 24, 2017