Ward Wells Wilson

Ward Wells Wilson 91 , a resident of Dunlap Farm Road passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday morning February 7, 2021. He was born April 21st,1929 in Ithaca, NY, the third child , second son, of Leslie Lawrence and Mary Louise (Fisk) Wilson. Mr. Wilson attended the schools in Ithaca, N.Y., then attended Staunton Military Academy in Staunton, Virginia, graduating in June 1947. He then attended St. Lawrence University at Canton, N.Y. and graduated in 1954 from the school of Optometry Columbia university in New York. Mr. Wilson joined the practice of Wilsons Optometrists being the third generation of Wilsons to do this ,following his grandfather, Frank G. Wilson and father, Leslie L. Wilson. During his professional career Mr. Wilson externed at Yale's Gesell Institute for Child Development, New Haven, Conn. was Assistant Chairman for the New York All State Optometric Congress, served as Associate Director for post graduate education in the Optometric Extention Program, was past president of South Central Optometric Society, and Member of the AOA. A past member of the Ithaca Yacht Club, Mr. Wilson sailed in the Comet Class for many years ,locally and in many International Races.(And once had his hands on the Americas Cup). Mr. Wilson after 40 years of the practice of optometry retired in 1993 and relocated to Bull Shoals, Ark. after acquiring a RV to travel to our national parks, Canadian Maritime Provinces ,Alaska and the Northwest States. This also includes airplane trips to Hongkong and China , and several European states and Bermuda and St Johns. On September 6,1952 Mr. Wilson married Betty Jane Funke of Floral Park, N.Y. she died December 28th 1999. Mr. Wilson married his second wife, Janet Lindsey Simpson, on December 9th 2001. In addition to his wife Janet , Mr. Wilson is survived by two Daughters; Dr. Jay Wilson and her husband John Kuschner of Durham, NH, and Dale and her husband Terrance O'Connell of Abilene, TX. He also is survived by a son, Lee Wells Wilson Portsmouth, VA. ,and six grandchildren. His sister Marsha Heinith predeceased Mr. Wilson in August 2001 and brother Stuart Wilson in December2009. A private memorial service will be held at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers , memorial donations may be made to VNA & Hospice of Bennington in care of the Hanson Walbridge & Shea Funeral Home, P.O. Box 528, Arlington, VT 05250.