The Shadow
CLIFTON FORGE - Silas Alvin Wilson Sr., 77, of 3318 Douthat Rd, Clifton Forge, died Saturday, Dec. 26, 2009, at Alleghany Regional Hospital, Low Moor.
He was born March 7, 1932, in Clifton Forge, a son of the late Herbert Hawes Wilson and Esther Jacobs Ayers Wilson.
Silas attended Central High School in Low Moor and served two years in the 45th Army Unit of the U.S. Army in Korea. He retired as a carman for the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad and CSX Transportation after 43 years of service. He served for 12 as scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 128, sponsored by St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Clifton Forge, and many years on committee and transportation. While in scouting, he received the following awards: District Award of Merit, Wood Badge, St. George Award, Silver Beaver Recipient, Bachelor of Commission Science, and Master of Commission of Science. He volunteered with Cub Day Camp as BB gun and bow and arrow instructor. He was a member of Walton Memorial United Methodist Church of Wilson Creek and served as chairman of the board, a trustee, and as a member of the parsonage committee. Silas joined the Sharon Ruritan Club in 1978 and was an avid worker, built a concession stand which was not only used for Ruritans, but other organizations needing to make money. He served on the board of Weekday Religious Education in the Alleghany Highlands and was a handyman for needed repairs or whatever could be done to save the organization repair money. He was a board member of the American Red Cross and very active in the area schools, college, and local bloodmobiles. He was a life member of Curtis A. Smith Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1033 and also the color guard of Post 1033. He loved working with wood in his work shop and making items for his family, mantel clocks, Christmas Santa and deer, among a few things. His greatest love was his sons and families, nephews and their children and time spent on the ATVs.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by seven brothers, Jack Wilson, Herbert Wilson, Woodrow Wilson, Dan Wilson, Ray Wilson, Jimmy Wilson and Hersie Wilson.
He is survived by his wife, Caroline Deeds Wilson of Clifton Forge; three sons, Silas Alvin Wilson Jr. and wife, Rosalyn of Sterling, Ronald Herbert Wilson and wife, Dawn, of Covington, and Keith Alan Wilson and wife, Susan, of Madison Heights; eight grandchildren, Aaron Matthew Wilson, Sarah Allyn Wilson, Anna Elizabeth Wilson, Caroline Elizabeth Wilson, Benjamin Davis Wilson, Angela Nichole Wilson Freeman, Kimberly Renee Colbert and Sherry Lynn Shuford; eight great grandchildren, Victoria Arianna Freeman, Rianna Michelle Freeman, Jacob Alan Colbert, Madisyn Grace Colbert, Kaitlyn Adell Colbert, Collin Scott Shuford, Cory Nelson Shuford and Natalie Ruth Shuford and a number of nieces and nephews including special nieces, Virginia Irvine and Jennifer Barnett, and special nephews, David Wilson and Roger Wilson.
A funeral service will be conducted Tuesday at 1 p.m. in the chapel of Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge, with the Rev. Charlie Johnson and the Rev. Virgil Woodie officiating. Interment will follow in Alleghany Memorial Park, Low Moor. Military rites will be conducted at the graveside by an honor guard from Curtis A. Smith Post 1033, Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Pallbearers will be David Wilson, Roger Wilson, Benjamin Wilson, Aaron Wilson, Richard Paitsel, Jessie Deisher and Richard Barnett.
The family will receive friends this evening from 6 until 8 p.m. at Nicely Funeral Home, and other times at the residence, 3318 Douthat Rd., Clifton Forge.
The family suggests that memorial tributes take the form of contributions to the Clifton Forge Rescue Squad, P. O. Box 419, Clifton Forge, Va. 24422.
To send condolences to the family online, visit www.nicelyfuneralhome.com.
