INDIANAPOLIS
Jerry Ray Wilson, 81 of Indianapolis, IN passed away Tuesday February 15, 2022, in Indianapolis, IN. He was born October 30, 1940, in Bartholomew County, Indiana to Raymond J. and Lorcey E. (Burton) Wilson.
He was a graduate of Wood High School in Indianapolis.
Jerry was a United States Army Veteran of the Vietnam War. He served from 1967 until 1968 having received two Purple Hearts. Spec 5 Wilson was a gunner and commander with the 2/11th Armored Calvary Regiment “Black Horse Trooper”. He was awarded the Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Vietnam Service Medal.
Mr. Wilson hired in as a Toolmaker Inspector, Toolmaker Foreman and Mechanical Planner &Estimator for Naval Avionics in Indianapolis, IN. He provided producibility support, worked on programs with included FLT/SAT/COM Vans, ARBS, Machine Gun Mounts, Weather Radar Vans, TARPS, and BQS-15 Sonar. He served as a point of contact for all NAWC’s castings and forgings. During his career, he received two outstanding awards, three cost cutter awards and seven letters of commendation and earned a NAWC Gold Award. He joined the rank of retirees on October 2, 1995.
He grew up at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Indianapolis’s Southside. He was a member of American Legion Post #182 in New Palestine, IN. He enjoyed fishing, golfing, Notre Dame Football and was an avid Corvette enthusiast. He also participated in the April 2018 Indy Honor Flight.
Survivors include his son Nicholas R. Wilson (Sandra) of Indianapolis, IN, his daughter Elizabeth N. Saxon (James) of Indianapolis, IN, four grandchildren Mattingly, Audrey, Lucas and Oliver, sisters Sondra Woodcock (Robert) of Indianapolis, IN, Loretta Byers of Mooresville, IN and Jeannette Kriech (Joe) of Franklin, IN.
He was preceded in death by his parents and infant brother Earl James Wilson.
The Reverend Shan Rutherford and Scott Childers will conduct a service on Friday February 18, 2022, at 2PM at Swartz Family Community Mortuary and Memorial Center 300 South U.S. 31 (Morton Street) in Franklin, IN and will be live-streamed at www.swartzmortuary.com jerry-wilson. Friends may call Friday February 18, 2022, from 11 AM until service time at the mortuary. Burial with full military honors being conducted by the United States Army Honor Guard and Franklin American Legion Post #205 will follow the service at Rest Haven Cemetery in Edinburgh, IN.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10306 or at www.t2t.org.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.swartzmortuary.com. Information 317-738-0202.
