Don Franklin Wilson, 78, of Starr, a retired pastor and police chaplain, died Oct. 7, 2010, at the Rainey Hospice House in Anderson.
Born in Patterson Springs, N.C., on Sept. 30, 1932, he served as a radio operator on the USS Yorktown while serving in the U.S. Navy. Wilson graduated from North Greenville College, Gardner-Webb University, and Southern Seminary, where he also earned a doctor of ministry degree.
In South Carolina, he served as pastor of Ridgewood Baptist Church in Greer and Long Branch Baptist Church in Anderson. He served as interim pastor for the congregations of Mt. Tabor, Flat Rock, Shiloh, and Carswell Baptist churches in Anderson County. He was an active member of Starr Baptist Church.
He formerly served as office manager for Carolina Freight Carriers, as production planner for Eastern Airlines and as a ticket agent for Eastern Airlines. He was a former chaplain and reserve officer for the Anderson Police Department, where many knew him as “Papa 1.” In addition to being an avid golfer, Wilson was a member of the Electric City Lions Club and was a volunteer for Meals on Wheels.
Survivors include his wife, Helen S. Vaughn Wilson, a daughter, two grandchildren and a great-grandson.