Thomas E. Wilson Born March 30, 1919 in Sanford, Florida, son of Thomas E. Wilson and Fannie Crenshaw Wilson. He graduated from Seminole High School in Sanford, Florida in 1937 followed by a degree from Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Florida in 1941. Thomas enlisted in the US Army in March 1941 and separated from the Army Air Corps as a captain in 1946, remaining in the reserves. While serving in the army, he married Statia Fair Dozier of Arcadia, Florida on October 3, 1943. After separating from the army, they lived in Lakeland, Florida from 1946 to 1951, during which he was co-owner of Gill's Ice Cream until he was recalled to active duty with the U.S. Air Force in March of 1951 in support of the Korean War. He was posted to duty in Tachikawa, Japan, serving there until 1954. He was joined there by his family after his first year; they were the first family members allowed into what was then "occupied Japan." After Japan, he served from 54-57 with Hq CONAC at Mitchell Field, NY. That was followed from 58-64 with duty at HQ USAF in the Pentagon, then assignment to Ramstein Air Base Germany from 64-67. He concluded his 30 years of active duty with a final assignment back at the Pentagon from 67-70, from which he retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. His military career was followed by a career with Suburban Savings and Loan in Annandale, Virginia, first as an appraiser, then as Vice President of Loans Department from 1971-1983. Upon retiring the second time, he and Statia returned to Statia's hometown of Arcadia, Florida where they resumed residence in the family homestead built by her father, A.J. Dozier in 1916. They continued to reside there until 2004 when they took up residence in "The Estates at The Carpenter's" in Lakeland, Florida. He was a member of the Mason's Lodge #91, in Lakeland, Florida from 1951 to the present. He was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church, serving at various times as Trustee, Supervisor of Sunday School, Usher and Secretary. As a resident of Arcadia, he was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church on Oak Street. Thomas is survived by his daughter, Marjorie Phillips (married to Colonel John Phillips) of San Antonio, TX, granddaughter, Heather (Curtis) Adams, of Mangum, OK, three nieces, Jean (Jose) Vitali of Arcadia, Florida, Jane (Ron) Elwell of Ft. Myers and JoAnn Ward (and the late Doug Ward) of Milton, Florida. He will be interred November 09, 2012 at 2:00 pm with military honors in the family plot at Oak Ridge Cemetery. Rev. Ron DeGenaro will be officiating. Arrangements are by Ponger Kays Grady Funeral Home, Arcadia, Florida. Online condolences can be made at www.pongerkaysgrady.com