George "Ace" E. Wilson

George “Ace” E. Wilson passed away on Saturday, April 15, 2017 at Oklahoma Heart Hospital in Oklahoma City at the age of 94. He was born to George and Mary (Dillon) Wilson on March 18, 1923 in Patterson Mills, Pennsylvania where he grew up with his brother, John. George is preceded in death by his parents, wife Dolores, brother, first wife Pauline and son Ronald.

George enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps in 1941 where he was a member of the 319th Bomb Group as a mechanic and armorer gunner on B-26 planes. After George relocated to Oklahoma City, he had two sons, Ronald and John, with wife Pauline. As the years went on George decided to focus his career on a business venture, Ace Janitorial Service and Supply, which he ran with his wife, Dolores until they retired. Together they raised two children, Grant George and Loraine Gail. George enjoyed taking his children and nephew, George Robert, on trips in the family RV and could often be found cooking or smoking meats. He also enjoyed racing at the Oklahoma City State Fair Speedway, which he also helped develop. George was a lifetime member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He always had something in the pocket of his Penguin brand shirt, whether it be butter rum candy, a puppy named Penny or even a ferret named Snowball. After retiring, George loved spending his time helping maintain and occasionally supervising Sparrow Hawk Camp in Tahlequah, OK for many years where he was known as “Ace” to his river family.

"Papa", as he was known to his grandkids, had to know what was going on in their lives and usually offered an anecdote relative to every conversation. The grandkids loved trips to the river and to Sam’s Club, finding candy on the headboard, homemade hash browns, smoked meat and whatever was in the kitchen that Papa had cooked. He absolutely loved Jim's Diner and Runway Café where he was often found enjoying breakfast with his family every weekend before perusing the aisles for the new tools at Harbor Freight. He was ornery but kind, stubborn but generous. George always made sure everyone had what they needed and then some; you were always leaving his house with something. George left his mark on everyone he met, and he never met a stranger.

George is survived by his three children: John Edward; Grant Wilson and wife Marti, and Gail Pierce and husband Gary; and nephew George Robert Wilson and wife Chrissy. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Jonnie, Kelly and husband Teddy, Megan, Terra and husband JJ, Sara and husband Jeff, Amy, Destiny, Devin and Mary; great-grandchildren: Neil, Gabby, Tyler, Chase, Knze, Andrew and Austin; and one great-great grandson, Cooper.