Carl B. Wilson passed away peacefully a day before his 98th birthday in Eagle, Idaho. Carl was born on January 22, 1927, the fifth of seven children, to Eugene and Gertrude May Wilson in Sandersville, Georgia. At an early age he moved to Milledgeville Georgia where he attended Georgia Military College, graduating from the accredited graduation program. In March 1945, he accepted a faculty position teaching Military Science and Tactics and Ancient English Literature. In May 1945 he accepted an appointment to the U. S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland and in 1947. There he met his future wife, Margaret Anne Wilson, (Peggy). They were married in the Naval Academy chapel on June 5, 1949. He later returned to the Naval Academy to teach Physics. During his long and honorable Navy career, Carl served at various shore stations. He often said his tour at Hawthorne, Nevada and the island of Guam were above all others, his favorite locations. He retired with honors from the US Navy in June 1969. He quickly accepted a position with the U.S. Atomic Commission in Las Vegas, Nevada where, as senior classifications analyst, he participated in the denotation of Baneberry, the last underground nuclear weapons test at the Nevada test site. He also participated in atmospheric nuclear weapons tests at Bikin Atoll in the Marshall Islands. His work included the proper identification and protection of restricted data and classified information. In May1973 Carl was transferred from the Nevada test site to the AEC headquarters in Germantown, Maryland. In 1978 he and Peggy purchased and began operating a farm in Fredericksburg, Maryland, which included registered Angus cows. They began and completed a 10 year project restoring an 1853 early Georgian house on the farm under the direction of the Maryland Historical Society. In addition to the usual farm activity, Carl became an accomplished gardener and apiarist. In1987, Carl retired from civil service and accepted a position as Consultant with History Associates, Inc., a U.S. Department of Energy subcontractor. He retired from History Associates in 1988 when he and Peggy moved to their waterfront home on the Rappahannock River near Weems, Virginia. He served as Trustee of the Kilmarnock United Methodist Church in Virginia, and was a Lifetime member of the historic Christ Church in Irvington, Virginia. He also served on the board of directors for the Northern Neck Audubon Society.
Some of Carl and Peggys most fondest moments were spent on the farm in Maryland and in Virgina with their Grandchildren who would often visit and spend summers creating priceless memories. After many years of enjoying fishing, crabbing, boating, kayaking, and wildlife watching, he and Peggy moved to their new home in Eagle, Idaho to be near their family. While in Eagle they purchased a second home in Cascade overlooking Lake Cascade. Carl loved the climate in Idaho and found joy tending to his garden and orchard in Eagle and any project around his home and the cabin. In Eagle, he was a member of the Eagle Hills Church.
Carl’s hobbies and craftwork were extensive: He was a ship model restorer, enjoyed horticulture, antique restorations, antiquing Indian artifacts, collections and displays, detailed handmade wooden furniture, extensive gardening, fishing and upland hunting of birds and animals, and playing golf.
Carl never went a day without his Iced Tea or reading the newspaper. He enjoyed watching sports, and loved to stay busy, always looking for ways to serve, fix or repair things. He was inquisitive, charming and kind, a true gentleman who loved his neighbor and country. He lived a truly valiant life, one that was full of hard work, discipline, hope and wonder of the natural world. He loved his two children and took great pride in his daughter’s scholarly academics and career accomplishments. He was beloved by many, especially his Grandchildren. But the most endearing quality he possessed was the unconditional love and devotion that he had for his wife Peggy, whom he called his ‘Chuck’. They were the best of friends and blessed with an unwavering companionship. Now joyfully reunited again in heaven’s warm embrace.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his siblings, his wife, Margaret Anne (Peggy) Wilson, and his son, Carl David Wilson. He is survived by his daughter, Dr. Carol Anne Wilson, five grandchildren, and 14 great grandchildren.