Wesley J. Wilson

Wesley Joseph Wilson was born on June 5th, 1949 to the union of Gloria Mays and Willard Wilson. Wesley, affectionately known as Wes, Big Wes, Will, and Jimmy was a part of a squad of brothers. as the eldest growing up with his younger brothers Jerome(Mumbles), Ronald(Ronnie), and Darnell(Donnie). His mom affectionately called Doughy, was very close-knit with her loving and Mays-strong family of sisters and brothers. When she faced serious illness, she asked her brother (Uncle Wesley) and his wife (Aunt Emma) to promise to care for her young children in the event of her passing. This promise was honored and kept and the Wilson family united with the Mays family and children, Toni, Pearl and Wesley(Buddy) and became one, brothers and sisters. Wesley came from a large family of boys, as His father affectionately known as Red, gave him additional brothers Percy, Otis and Eric as well as a step mom, Willie Mae and sister Latricia. Wesley grew up in the Altgeld Gardens area of Chicago and as a young man he passed through the communities of Roseland, Harvey, Eden Greens and South Shore. He went to Carver High School where he made many lifelong friends and grew into his own as a young man. As he completed High School he developed a love for and was very gifted at drafting and building, one of his favorite things to do. He would go on to utilize these skills over and over again throughout his life. Shortly after High School Wesley would be called on by the United States Army. He proudly served his country in the Vietnam War where he continued to grow as a man and as a leader. His uncle Wesley would see to that. Upon his mother Gloria’s untimely passing he returned from the Army where he and his brothers would live together with the help of their family. Family was everything to Wes and the gang and they all stuck together like glue, through it all. Wesley began his 35yr career at the US Postal Service in Automotive Mechanics. He was thankful to his aunt Emma for getting him in so young. His specialty became towing Diesel trucks and repairing engines. This would later lead to his small towtruck business, Wilson Bros. He also would repair & rebuild the engines of many family members. As he continued to grow, Wesley’s true character began to shine brightly. He was a man with an open heart and open hands. He had learned some valuable lessons from family. Anytime a friend or family member was in need, his heart and his home were open. Wesley would eventually grow to become the leader of his family and take on a bigger role providing for he and his brothers who had gotten older. They meant everything to him and he would do anything to keep them together. So He left his dream of drafting and designing buildings, to walk in his new calling. They would all eventually move and live in the Southshore area of Chicago where he rented an apartment in his Uncle Nathan's building. Wesley would continue his relationship with his lifelong friend from Altgeld Gardens, Syl Collins and Syl's friend Mary Griffin who lived in this same building. Her sister Pamela would ultimately be the one to later introduce him to her highschool friend Rochelle. Wow!! Wesley had met the love of his life and he says he knew she would become his wife & soul mate. Why?? Because He was determined and the steps of a good man are ordered by God. On June 21st 1980, Wesley and Rochelle Ewing would seal their love in an eternal commitment to one another before God and all their friends and family. As their love bloomed they would go on to bring 3 wonderful children into the world, Jerome, Wesley Jr., and Victoria. This wouldn’t be the limits of his impact as a man though. Wesley was a Dad to many and a father figure to more still. He shared his love with Carlos, Kendall, Kenyanna and Rashida and was blessed to call them his children. Wesley professed his love for Christ at an early age and later would join his wife as a member of St Thomas Church under Pastor David Lowry. He would continue to pour into the lives of young children. While Rochelle grew in Youth ministry and later Recovery ministry, Wes joined in and would take the youth on many camping trips, picnics and other outings, teaching life skills to anyone who would listen. Wesley was a teacher at heart and would freely give any knowledge he had to all those willing to absorb it. Another side of Big Wes was cars, engines and everything in between, from his Pontiacs to Impalas and you can never forget all the stories about his 69 Camaro. LOL!! He tore up the town in his black cherry drop top deuce and a quarter. And who could forget the 93 Chevy Van with fog lights, TV/VHS combo, track lighting, mag wheels and remote start. Remote Start!! In 1993?? It was serious. Thanks to his best friend and co-worker, Mike Brown they made it happen. The father in him loaded that van full of kids and drove all over the country from Niagara Falls to Las Vegas, to California, to the Rocky Mountains and everywhere in between. Additional travelers would often times be his nieces and nephews and most always included nephew Ramille Allen who was like a son. Wesley was a man with a vision. He would write it first and make it plain. If he wanted something, he would always get the motivation and direction he needed. If he could see it he could achieve it. He didn’t ask man for it, he made plans and he made it happen. If he couldn’t buy it, he built it. From basement paneling & remodeling bars and steamrooms, to asphalt backyards for a basketball court for the gang, to patios, pool decks and additional rooms. He drew up plans and made what he wanted appear by the sweat of his brow and work of his hands. He always strived to give these skills to his children and to all of the many children, nieces, nephews and friends who frequented our home. They always knew that Uncle Wes was going to put them to work. Many friends and family will attest to Wes’ drive and desire to achieve more. He was a leader in his role at the Post Office. He always had a dream of selling used cars as well as investing in Real estate. He was able to accomplish these things having had multiple properties over the years. He sold cars in Chicago and was a big force behind CTK (Christ the King) Automotive in Orlando, FL. He retired from the Postal Service at age 55. By 2009, he no longer wanted to reside in the South Suburbs of Chicago due to his failing health issues and the HAWK. He and Rochelle could no longer tolerate the cold. He would tell people of his vision to move to a warm climate for quite a while and no one believed him, until one day he told everyone that in one month, we will be packing up and moving all of our stuff to Orlando Florida, "We have a home there waiting for us". It was a shock to everyone else but Wesley. The decision was solidified to move to Orlando where Wesley Jr had moved earlier. Wes's special young friend, Ernie from the Postal service continued to call Wesley for the past 13 years checking on him and letting him know what was going on with all of his postal buddies. Wes and Rochelle and the family moved to Orlando and joined New Beginnings Church where Rochelle continued in ministry. She also continued to give back what was freely given to her through Recovery ministry. Wes was given a second chance at life after he went into a coma for over a week, but God's plan was to restore him, because his work on Earth was not yet finished. He was blessed with a Kidney transplant and a new lease on life. Through the ups and downs, the ins and outs, and the all around Life on life's terms, Wesley and Rochelle never let his health get them down. With the love of God, and the leading of the Holy Spirit, they were able to endure hardship, become overcomers and live a victorious life. Their motto was to, “MAKE THE MOST OF THE TIME AND LIVE EACH DAY TO THE FULLEST, FOR TOMORROW IS NOT PROMISED!” They did just that! Wes's favorite was, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me and Rochelle's was, The Joy of the Lord is my strength! Jerome and Victoria would later join them in Orlando where he enjoyed his wife, children, daughters in love Tamekia (Rome) and Jennifer (Wes) and his grandchildren. The Lord graciously blessed Wes to see his baby girl Victoria, wed her husband Vincent Johnson, and to that union was born a very bright, bubbly, bouncing and absolutely precious baby boy, whose father named him, Wesley Messiah Johnson in honor of his Grandpa-dy. His best friend and brother Ronnie also moved from Chicago to Florida after retirement, along with his wife Melody Ewing-Wilson, (Rochelle’s sister). Wesley and Rochelle introduced the two of them. Who would have thunk it. Lol! He also wanted to be near both his brother and his elder son Ronald Jr., a Floridian since college. Wes and Ronnie’s relationship was very special and close-knit. Wesley loved Ronnie, his Gem, like a son, brother and friend and Ronnie loved Wes, his Jimmy(Gemmy) like a father, brother and friend. They video called each other nearly every day. Ronald's daughter Gloria and grandson now reside in Florida and we await the arrival of Spencer and Charron. Hint hint!! The double cousins are also like brothers and sisters, just like their fathers were with their cousins. Wesley lived a full life and left a major impact on all those who knew him. He and Rochelle renewed their wedding vows and commitment to each other till death do us part in they're very own backyard Oasis in 2018. Pastor David Lowry came, along with his wife Elinar from Chicago, to do the officiating. What a blessing it was. He recently spent precious time with his brother, sister-in-law, their children, and grandchildren. He spent his last months, weeks and days enjoying time with sister-in-law Kim, brother in law William & his entire family, mom in law Willouby, his children, and his grandchildren whom he saw almost daily. He also spent precious video time on his new Grandpad with his other relatives. No one knew that Wesley would be called home soon but he can rest easy knowing that he MADE THE MOST OF THE TIME!! He also had excellent healthcare and therapy. He was serviced daily on a regular basis with excellence. Thank you Bayada, Encompass, and Kindred for the last 13 years of service. Wesley was truly blessed to receive the care that he did from you guys. As he used to jokingly tell me, "they're not here for me, they're here to help you." He was so right!! My life continued to receive the love & care and respite that I also needed as a wife and primary caregiver. Thank you to all his private specialty Drs. Atterman, Kamme, Ranjit, Haim, Wladis, Conte, Jablonsky, and to all of the many VA Doctors and service people who cared for him over the past 13 years. Thank you to Earnie, Wesley's special young friend and coworker from Chicago, who continued to call him for the past 13 years to update him on what was going on with his postal buddies. Wesley was truly a king amongst men. On February 16, 2022 Wesley Joseph Wilson was called home by his creator . He now lives in his eternal place that God prepared for him. The impact he made on this earth will continue to ripple through time for generations to come. He left a #Legacy of Love. He leaves to cherish his memory a whole host of friends, family and people who knew and loved him. But God loved him most. Wesley, My love, you have fought the good fight, you have finished the race, you have kept the faith! Job well done!

Wesley J. Wilson

June 5, 1949 - February 16, 2022