Richard "Dick" Wilson

Richard Thomas “Dick” Wilson Rock Springs - Richard Thomas "Dick" Wilson, 84, died Sunday December 18, 2011 at his home following a sudden illness. He had been a resident of Rock Springs from 1951 to 1952 and most recently since 1998. Mr. Wilson was born on June 9, 1927 in Casper, Wyoming, the son of Tom J. And Mabel Mildred Crook Wilson. The eldest son in a family of nine children, he grew up during the Great Depression on a farm in Loveland, Colorado, and later in Ogden, Utah where his father was employed in the construction of Hill Air Force Base. After graduating from Ogden High School in 1944, he joined the United States Navy and served in the South Pacific Theater in the “Sea-Bees” Construction Battalion during the winding-up stage of World War II. After his military service, Mr. Wilson worked as an oil field driller, coal miner, fireman, and engineer for the Union Pacific Railroad. He married Phyllis Darlene Brinton of Lyman, Wyoming on July 13, 1948 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Their marriage was later solemnized on April 20, 1963 in the Los Angeles, California LDS Temple. She preceded him in death on August 18, 1994. Mr. Wilson was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in many leadership positions throughout the years including Bishopric member, Stake High Council, High Priests Group Leader, and as a dedicated home teacher. He served a Full-Time mission at the Family History Center in Salt Lake City in 1997. He was no stranger to hard work as he pursued various and varied careers to support his family. These jobs included Bakery owner, operator of the original Denny’s restaurant in Lakewood, California, steakhouse restaurant owner/operator, insurance salesman for New York Life and All-State, and finally as a locomotive engineer for the Souther Pacific Railroad, retiring in 1996 after 30 plus years. His interests included spending time with family, church service, work, exercise, reading, watching for ways to help others and meeting new friends where ever he went. He never missed a chance to make a new friend. Survivors include his sons Dr. Steven Wilson and wife Lee Ann, Dr. John R. Wilson and wife Ingrid all of Rock Springs; brothers Wayne, Tommy, and Kenneth; sisters Virginia, Myrtle, Dorothy, Margaret, and Patricia; grandchildren, Matthew Wilson of Laguna Nigel, California, Kevin Wilson and wife Andrea of Orem, Utah, Dr. Jeffrey Wilson and wife Kimberly of Green River, Kristen Millecam and husband Nathan of Phoenix, Arizona, and Elise, Russell, Jacob, and Beatrice Wilson all of Rock Springs; 12 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Phyllis Wilson, daughter Lauren Martinez, and granddaughter Alexis B. Martinez. Funeral services will be conducted at 12:00 noon Friday December 23, 2011 at the White Mountain LDS Chapel, 3315 White Mountain Blvd, Rock Springs. Bishop Josh Sorenson of the Foothill Ward will officiate. Friends may call from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, December 22, 2011 at Fox Funeral Home, 2800 Commercial Way, Rock Springs and Friday one hour prior to the services at the church. Interment will follow in the Lyman City Cemetery, Lyman, Wyoming.