Ernest Wilson

In loving memory of our beautiful husband, father, and nonno Ernest M. Wilson, Sr., who passed away peacefully at home at the age of 92 on April 4, 2015. He was the son of the late Louis and Dorothy Maize Wilson. He was preceded in death by daughter Joy, daughter-in-law Barbara S. Wilson and siblings Raymond, James, Irvin, Linwood, and Lillian. He was a WWII veteran, and while fighting in Italy he met the love of his life. They married and returned to the US where he dedicated his life to care for his wife and family. He gave his children his incredible gifts of kindness, gentleness, wit, charm, humor, and deep faith. He taught us all the meaning of honesty, integrity, and family. Second only to his love of wife and family were his trips to enjoy trains. Now with every whistle, he will be remembered as riding through heaven smiling and waving at all those he loves. He is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, his amore', Elsa Pierucci Wilson; their children and spouses, sons Luciano and Charla Wilson, Ernest Wilson, Jr., and daughters Rosanna and Stan Orchel, Gloria and Paul Godwin, Lala Wilson and Polly Guard, Annette and Victor Bashensky, and Barbara Ann Lucy; his adoring twelve "bimbi" grandchildren, Krista Boardman, Molly and Grace Wilson; Brian Wilson; Christopher and Matthew Orchel; Erica and Jonathan Godwin; Alexander and Sofia Bashensky; and Justin and Cara Lucy, and 3 great-grandchildren, Wyatt, Jonah, and Harper, and brother Albert and Cora Wilson. A special thanks to his nurse, Brenda Thompson. A funeral mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday April 8. 2015 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 151 W. Washington Street, Petersburg, Virginia 23803, with Fr. Brian Capuano, Celebrant. Interment will follow in St. Joseph Catholic Church Cemetery, Petersburg, Virginia. A Wake Service will be held 7:00 p.m. Tuesday April 7, 2015 with visitation to follow in the church commons till 8:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church, Capital Building Fund, P.O. Box 2006, Petersburg, Virginia 23804. Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Colonial Heights Chapel of E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes and Crematory 2033 Boulevard. Condolences may be registered at www.ealvinsmall.com.

Visitation Details

Tuesday, April 7th, 2015 7:00pm - 8:30pm, St. Joseph Catholic Church

Service Information

Wednesday, April 8th, 2015 11:00am, St. Joseph Catholic Church

Interment Details

St. Joseph Catholic Church Cemetery