John William Wilson

John William Wilson, Jr., age 88, known to family and friends as JW, Daddy, and Papa John, was a long time resident of Nederland. He passed away Tuesday, May 3, 2011 in Port Arthur, Texas.He was born February 19, 1923 in Pear Ridge, Texas to John William Wilson, Sr. and Pearl Vincent Wilson.Dad enjoyed telling stories about his life. One story he told was when he was a teenager and walked his bike up and then rode down the Rainbow Bridge in 1938. Another story was that he served in the United States Navy and survived the air attack at Pearl Harbor Sunday, Dec 7, 1941. He was aboard the quotUSS Ramsey,quot a destroyer, tied at Battleship Row when he and his group observed planes flying early for a Sunday morning. Then as the planes turned they noticed they were Japanese planes just before they began dropping bombs and firing. He said the battle lasted about two hours but seemed like eternity. Then he had many stories about working for Texaco and retiring Jan. 31, 1985 having worked for Texaco a total of 38 years. JW was preceded in death by his parents wife, Abbie Lee brother, William Lars Wilson three sisters, Matilda Poole, Helen Wilson, and Lillian Martin son, John William Wilson III grandsons, Shawn Edwards and Moses Mobley.He is survived by his children, Nancy Baird of Watson, Louisiana, Carol Ron Gerwick of Kingsville, Texas, Judy Jerry Pool of Gilmer, Texas, Stephen Wilson of St. Francisville, Louisiana sister, Lucille Breeden of Sour Lake, Texas two grandsons, Marty Allison and Ross Gerwick three great grandchildren, Hunter Edwards, Mason Gerwick Chase Gerwick.Visitation will be held Friday, May 6 from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Melancon39s Funeral Home, 1605 Avenue H in Nederland. A Graveside service will be held at 10 am Saturday, May 7 at Memory Gardens in Nederland on Hwy 69.Memorials may be made to:Southeast Texas Veteran39s Service Group,P. O. Box 12352Beaumont, Texas 77726 Altus Hospice 2900 North Street, Suite 100 Beaumont, Texas 77702or to a charity of one39s choice.