02/21/2007
Virgil Ray Wilson, November 12, 1921 – February 21, 2007 San Carlos and Redwood City resident Virgil Wilson died Wednesday, February 21, at Gordon Manor in Redwood City. He was 85.
He was born in Haven, Kansas to Mack Donald Wilson and Signe Victoria Wilson. Soon after graduating from high school in Knoxville, Iowa, Virgil enlisted in the Army Air Corps, serving for six years during World War II.
While on leave in Seattle, he met Eileen Everts; they married in 1945 in Vallejo, California. They had two children, Mark and Lisa.
After the war, Virgil graduated from San Jose State College with a major in journalism, making him the first in his family with a college degree. Virgil joined the San Mateo Times in 1952 as a newspaper reporter. His first beat was the County Courthouse, a position he covered and enjoyed for the next twenty years.
In 1972, Virgil was promoted to the position of Managing Editor, where he helped guide the San Mateo Times into the electronic age and a period of wide influence. He retired in 1988. His wife Eileen died in February of 1989.
In 1990 Virgil married Marjorie Stogner. He and Marge led an active life together in retirement, including travel, volunteer work, and fulfilling Virgil’s lifelong goal of hiking across the Grand Canyon.
Virgil is survived by his wife, Marge Wilson of San Carlos; sisters Ruth Beebout of Iowa, Ruby Oxford of Washington, and Lorene (Barnett) Swearingen of Stockton, California; his son Mark Wilson of Oregon and daughter Lisa Wilson of Oakland, California; and grandson Tyner Wilson of Arizona. Virgil was well known in the Peninsula through his work at the San Mateo Times. He was widely admired as a principled, talented, and affable colleague.
He was cherished as a loving and caring friend and relative. Virgil’s kindness, intellect, charm, and wry humor will be missed by all.
Published in East Bay Times on Mar. 6, 2007