Roland Wilson

Sergeant Major Roland Clark Wilson U.S. Army (retired) 78, of Colonial Heights, died Tuesday August 11, 2009 at McGuire Veterans Medical Center. He was the son of the late Milton B. Wilson and Sudie Helen Lewis Wilson. He was preceded in death by two brothers; Gene Hall Wilson and Raymond Harold Wilson, and one sister Minnie Maitland. Mr. Wilson was a graduate of the Class of 1949 of Dinwiddie High School. After graduation he joined the Army and served for over 27 years, retiring with the rank of Sergeant Major which he held for almost 9 years. During his military service he was awarded the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal and the Army Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters plus many service awards. He was a veteran of both the Korean and Vietnam war. Upon his retirement from the Army, Mr. Wilson joined the Petersburg, Va., Sheriffs Office where he served for almost 19 years. He was a Lieutenant with the Juvenile Domestic Relations Court and the Petersburg Jail Farm. He did volunteer work with the organization Contact (Hotline) and for over 14 years with the American Red Cross at the Kenner Army Medical Center at Fort Lee, Virginia. Mr. Wilson belonged to Post 284 of the American Legion in Colonial Heights. Mr. Wilson attended the Calvary Baptist Church in Colonial Heights. He is survived by his wife Edna H. Wilson, three daughters Bobbie Wolkon and husband Adam of Atlanta, Ga.; Joan Smart and husband Kenneth of Richmond,Va.; Donna Womble and husband Charles of Macon, Ga.; also June Houchins Bethea and husband Lee of McKenney, Va. and Donald K. Houchins and wife Lisa of Colonial Heights, Va.; grandchildren Mara Karell, Jessica Houchins, Kris Cutler, Justin Carmachel, Lane Womble, Eric Womble, Juli Karp, Kristi Ambroise, and Michael Frazier. A funeral service will be held 2:00 p.m. Friday August 14, 2009 in the Colonial Heights Chapel of E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes and Crematory 2033 Boulevard, with the Reverend Dr. Ray Haskett officiating. Interment will follow with Military Honors in Southlawn Memorial Park in Prince George, Virginia. The family will receive friends Thursday August 13, 2009 (tonight) from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Calvary Baptist Church 17001 Jefferson Davis Highway Colonial Heights, Virginia 23834.