Carroll Eugene Wilson, age 102, of North Platte passed away Friday, May 13, 2016 at Centennial Park Retirement Village. He was born November 11, 1913 in Trumbull, Nebraska. He was the second son of Chandler & Laura (Gillaspie) Wilson. The family moved to North Platte in 1917 when Chandler took a job on the Union Pacific Railroad.
Carroll’s mother called him “Hap” and taught him to do what he could to be happy and a help to the community. The name and lesson stuck for life.
Carroll graduated in1931 from NPHS (his was the first class in “new”, now demolished high school building). He enrolled in math/engineering program at UNL. After 20 hours of classes, he changed to business on advice of the Dean of Teachers College. He worked various jobs to afford tuition, including dinners for food, the YMCA for housing and Wadlow Mortuary. Carroll joined DeMolay fraternity (now part of Phi Gamma Delta) and attended St. Paul Methodist Church, where he became president of the campus Methodist Council. He graduated in 1937 with a Bachelor of Science and Business Administration.
Carroll served in the Navy from October 1942 to October 1945 including aboard PC1186 as Chief Pharmacist First Class on Atlantic and Pacific convoy duty. His 2 year enlistment came up while he was at sea. His commander told him that unless he could swim to shore his enlistment was extended for the duration. He received the Personal Navy Command Citation when the hospital he was assigned to in Panama was bombed. He was mustered out 1945 and returned to NP.
Carroll returned to job his old job with Cotterell and Rasmussen insurance where he ran office after the deaths of both principles. In 1954 he took a job offer with First National Bank eventually in their installment loan department. At the time he started the bank had a maximum loan limit of $500. A family friend needed a combine and Carroll convinced the bank to make the loan, the biggest at that time so raising the loan limit. Carroll worked there through 1979.
On Christmas day 1945 he married Inez Fenstermacher, originally of Sargent, Nebraska.
Carroll was past Master of the Masonic Lodge; Secretary/Treasurer of the Masonic Temple Craft; past Patron of Eastern Star; President of the American Heart Association in 1992; County Chairman of American Red Cross; life member of D.A.V., Optimist Club and Phi Gamma Delta. He was Post Adjutant of VFW, a charter member and Sheriff of Buffalo Bill Westerners, hospice volunteer, State Chairman for Easter Seals and was on the advisory board for RSVP.
He was involved in all levels of Boy Scouts starting at age 12. He met James West, the first Chief Scout Executive, who encouraged him to “get on the ball, kid”. He organized Troop 287 at the North Platte Police department by the water tower to give local youth something to do to stay out of trouble. He earned the Silver Eagle in 1937 and was awarded the Silver Beaver in 1964.
He received his commission as Admiral in the Nebraska Navy in 2013 and the Service to Mankind Awarded from Sertoma Club in 1983.
Survivors include two children, Robert and Kathleen both of Lincoln.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and his wife.
A Memorial has been established in his name and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.
Funeral Services will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday, May 19, 2016 at the First United Methodist Church with the Reverend Dr. Douglas Delp officiating. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery near Callaway, NE. Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 18, 2016 at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.