Simeon Robert Wilson III died Feb. 8 at Harrison Medical Center in Bremerton, from complications due to surgery.
Wilson was born Aug. 2, 1927, in Hood River, Ore., to Ruth and Simeon Wilson II. He spent his early years growing up on Whidbey Island and later during his high school years he and his family moved to Marysville where his father was the editor of the Marysville Globe.
Wilson attended Everett Jr. College and Washington State University where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree. Later, he attended the University of Washington where he graduated with a master of Fine Arts. His studies were interrupted by the Korean War. He was stationed for three years on the U.S.S. Baltimore spending summers in the Mediterranean and winters in Boston. He began working on a Doctorate at Ohio State Univeristy but came home to begin a career as a newspaper man following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather. Wilson was editor and publisher of the Marysville Globe and Arlington Times for more than thirty years.
He married Betty Rust in 1959 and they raised two children at the family home on Priest Point near Marysville.
In 1972 he was elected to the Washington State House of Representatives and served as a State Representative to the 10th District for 20 years, retiring in 1992. During his 10 terms he chaired the transportation committee and served as the Republican leader.
He moved to Bainbridge Island in 1993 when he married Karen Schmidt. In 2006 they built a new home in Kingston where they lived until he passed away. Wilson was an avid gardener and loved to build model airplanes. He continued to make pottery in his retirement and traveled extensively with his wife Karen and their friends to the far corners of the world including Myanmar, India, Egypt, China, Austria, Hungary, Turkey, Greece, Argentina and Chile. Some of his happiest times were spent their condo in Manzanillo Mexico.
Wilson is survived by his wife Karen Wilson; son Michael Wilson (Linda Hamilton); daughters Maren Wilson and Debra Kelly; stepsons Geoffrey and Gavin Schmidt; grandchildren Justin, Zachary, Simeon and Layla Wilson and Colleen Campbell.
He is also survived by Betty Rust and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Murial Williams and brother David Wilson.
A celebration of life will be at 1 p.m. at The Everett Station, 3201 Smith Ave., Everett, WA on Feb. 22.
Condolences may be sent to Karen Wilson, P.O. Box 40965, Olympia WA 98504. Remembrances can be sent to The American Cancer Society.
