Dwaine D. Wilson

June 8, 1934-June 29, 2011

CULBERTSON, Nebraska -- Dwaine Dorsey Wilson, 77, passed away Wednesday, June 29, 2011, at the Golden Living Center in Grand Island, Nebraska.

Dwaine was born June 8, 1934, to Dorsey and Lula (Gray) Wilson in Hayes County. He graduated from Hayes County High School.

In February 1953, Dwaine joined the U.S. Air Force where he was stationed in Spokane, Washington and Korea.

Dwaine was united in marriage to Kay Marie Scharf on Dec. 29, 1954. To this union, seven children were born.

After leaving the military, he farmed north of Culbertson in Hayes County, Nebraska. He also worked for the Hayes County Road Department. Later, he worked at Gerhold Concrete. In 1985, he moved to Lincoln, Nebraska where he began a 21 year career with the Veterans of Foreign Wars as adjutant and quartermaster.

His awards received were All American District Commander, Captain of District 5 VFW 1977-78; All American Department Commander VFW 1984-85, and Distinguished Service Medal for the VFW 2006.

Dwaine was a lifetime member of the VFW, American Veterans (also was quartermaster until 2008), Disabled American Veterans, and Forty and Eight. He was a permanent member of the American Legion of Hayes Center, member of the Korean War Veterans Association, member of the Military Order of the Cootie, belonged to the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers, member of Past Commanders Club of the VFW, and member of the Great Navy of the State of Nebraska (appointed to Admiral). He belonged to the National Rifle Association and was a Nebraska Hunter's Safety instructor from 1981-86. Dwaine also was a pitcher for a semi-pro baseball team in the late 1950s.

After retiring in 2006, Dwaine and Kay moved to Phillips, Nebraska. He was a member of the Phillips United Methodist Church.

Proceeding him in death were his parents, Dorsey and Lula; daughter, Carol Kay Wilson; son, Steven Dwaine Wilson; great-granddaughter, Marissa (Kroll) Gay; brother, Virgil Wilson; brothers-in-law, Reed Loomis, Leonard Walker and Jerry Felker; sister-in-law, Patricia Wilson; and son-in-law, Mark Kenner.

Survivors include his wife, Kay; sons, Gilbert Wilson and special friend, Beth Ann Rose, Keith Wilson, and Terry Wilson and wife, Priscilla; daughters, Betty Kenner and special friend, Bill Stokley and Nancy Kroll and husband, Frank; daughter-in-law, Alma Wilson; grandchildren, Keshia Wilson Neri, Kristina Wilson Keyser, Matthew Kenner, Erika Kenner Garcia, Drew Wilson, Austin Wilson, Brenda Kroll Green, Joshua Kroll, Frankie Kroll, Sondra Kroll and Rosalee Wilson; 22 great-grandchildren; brother, Darwin Wilson; sisters, Velma Walker, Vonda (Loomis) Gigax and husband, Paul, Shirley Bishop and husband, Jack and Sharon Felker; sisters-in-law, Norma Wilson, Lloydelle Bellamy and husband, Joe; brothers-in-law, Donald Scharf and wife, Leila, Ronald Scharf, Leonard Scharf and wife, Nancy and John Scharf; and many cousins, nephews and nieces.

Memorials may be given in his name to the American Cancer Society.

Funeral services are Wednesday, July 6, 2011, 10:30 a.m., at Trinity United Methodist Church in Culbertson with Pastor Marta Wheeler officiating. Burial will be in the Culbertson Cemetery.

Visitation is Tuesday, July 5, 2011, 1--8 p.m., with the family receiving friends from 6--8 p.m.

Friends and family may go online to www.carpenterbreland.com to extend condolences.

Carpenter Breland Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.