Douglas E. Wilson

Douglas E. Wilson, 83, of Bucyrus, passed peacefully on Sunday, February 9, 2025 at his home in the presence of many who loved him dearly. 

Doug was born February 4, 1942 in Nevada, Ohio to the late Donald B. and Fern L. (Prosser) Wilson. He graduated from Bucyrus High School in 1960 and in 1989, earned his Real Estate Certificates of Completion from Sawyer College in Dayton. 

Doug was proud to have served his country and enlisted in the Ohio National Guard in March 1960, serving in Battery D and B 1st Battalion, 136th Field Artillery as an enlisted man until July 2, 1966. He then received a Commission as Second Lieutenant OHARNG on July 3, 1966. Doug was promoted to First Lieutenant OHARNG in 1969, Captain OHARNG 1972, and Major OHARNG 1978, LTC OHARNG 1986, LTC USAR 1988, LTC United States Army Ready Individual Ready Reserve 1994 and LTC United States Army Reserve Retired 2002. His service totaled 41 years, 10 months and 5 days. Doug was proud to have served as Food Service Advisor for the OHARNG under Col. Donald Van Wagner. During his time in service, he served in many capacities and completed many training schools provided by the Army. His awards include Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal/4 Oak Leaf Clusters, Armed Forces Reserve Medal w/ Second Hourglass, Army Service Ribbon, Ohio Faithful Service Ribbon w/Oak Leaf Clusters, Award of Merit w/ First Numeral and Ohio Army Guard Basic Training Ribbon. 

On June 29, 1962, Doug married Cara Sue Bishop who survives. He spent several years working for Jay Winters at Jay’s Toggery before purchasing the business and changing the name to Doug’s Toggery. He cared for the clothing needs of both men and women, operating stores in Bucyrus, Galion and Mansfield until retiring in the early 1990s. Having earned his Real Estate License, Doug began helping area folks with their home buying or selling needs. Over his 30 plus years in real estate, he worked for Rindfuss, Niederkohr and Craig A. Miley realty companies. Doug served as President of Bucyrus City Council for 10 years and also served as the Mayor for the City of Bucyrus from 1996-99. 

Doug was active in many organizations over the years. He was an active member of Good Hope Lutheran Church, serving on church council and as a Sunday School teacher. He was proud to have served on the Advisory Board of Directors of United/Park National Bank. He arranged for the ODNR to stock the Crossroads Industrial Park Pond with rainbow trout. In addition, he helped organize the Cops and Bobbers Fishing Derby, an event where he gladly gave of his time. Doug also served on the Bucyrus Community Hospital Board, was a member of the Executive Committee of the American Legion Post 181 as well as a Past Commander and was also affiliated with many other veteran and real estate organizations and associations. 

Doug will be remembered as a determined and take-charge type of guy who was always searching for his next project or activity to involve his time. He was a proud husband, father and grandfather, who played an active role in their lives. Doug assisted those he loved in any way possible, but always taught them, rather than doing for them. He spent years of coaching Little League and Babe Ruth baseball while his son was involved and became heavily involved in model trains, building many layouts for his grandchildren’s enjoyment. He wanted them to be happy and succeed in anything they did, and he’ll certainly be smiling from above as his granddaughter continues her passion for flying. Another of Doug’s favorite past times was shooting guns and one of his favorite places for this activity was at Black Wing Shooting Center. He always reloaded his own ammunition and had quite a following of folks who preferred his, over store bought ammo. 

In addition to Sue, his wife of 62 years, Doug is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Doug and Susan Wilson Jr.; granddaughter, Cara Nicole Wilson; sister, Clara Robertson as well as several special nieces and nephews with whom Doug shared a close relationship. 

He was preceded in death by his grandson, Nicklas Taylor Wilson and two brothers, James and Jerome Wilson. 

Calling hours will be held from 11:00 am - 12:55 pm Saturday, February 15 in the auditorium at Good Hope Lutheran Church. His memorial service will follow in the sanctuary, beginning at 1:00 pm with Pastor Tanyce Addison officiating. Military Rites will be incorporated into his memorial service and provided by both the US Army and Bucyrus Veterans Military Funeral Detail. Doug will be privately inurned close to his grandson in St. Joseph Cemetery in Columbus. 

If desired, donations can be made payable to Good Hope Lutheran Church (Steeple Fund) or to Avita Hospice and these gifts will be accepted through Wise Funeral Service or at the church on day of services. Expressions of sympathy or memories are encouraged to be shared on his guestbook page at www.wisefuneral.com.