Charles T. Wilson

In the early morning of May 15, 2025, Charlie’s valiant battle with Alzheimer’s Disease ended peacefully. 

Charlie was born on August 17, 1945, in Grand Rapids, Michigan to the late Francis and Helen (Spicer) Wilson.  After graduating from Ottawa Hills High School, Charlie joined the United States Army and was stationed in Texas.  While he did not serve in war, Charlie bravely defended his fellow citizens (or possibly just himself) against an armadillo when it tried to infiltrate camp one night. Upon his Honorable Discharge, Charlie moved to San Francisco, California where he began his 42-year career with Xerox. San Francisco is also where he met and married the love of his life, Anette in 1970.  When asked the secret to being married for 55 years, Charlie would tell you the most important words in a marriage are not “I love you”, they are “yes, dear.”  Charlie and Anette had three children and eventually moved to Grand Rapids.

The only thing Charlie loved longer than his wife was baseball. He traveled to many of the Major League stadiums around the country, always with his baseball glove, sometimes with Anette and the kids.  He went to games at Wrigley Field before and after the lights were installed, watched both the 1968 and 1984 Detroit Tigers dominate and attended a no-hitter game thrown by Max Scherzer at National’s Park. Charlie and Anette attended countless West Michigan Whitecaps games over the years and traveled to Iowa to the Field of Dreams Movie Site. We wouldn’t be surprised if he’s already played catch with Shoeless Joe.

When watching baseball at home, Charlie often did so with one of his beloved dogs on his lap or by his side.  He loved all dogs, regardless of their size or breed, if they were his or someone else’s.  We are certain our departed family dogs were waiting to greet him with their tails wagging.

Charlie will be remembered for his quick wit, sense of humor and well-timed jokes. He would take any opportunity to make someone laugh; during a game of cribbage, on the golf course or while sharing a meal with friends at Vine Croft on Tuesday nights. If it involved Charlie, it involved laughter.

Charlie was a great example of what it means to be kind to others. He was always willing to help those in need (as long as it didn’t involve cooking). In his retirement, Charlie devoted many hours of his time to volunteering at Kid’s Food Basket, Art Prize and Festival of the Arts.

Above all else, Charlie will be remembered as a loving husband to Anette; father to Kyle (Ariana Inglese), Aaron, and Amanda (Brad) Fry; FaFa to his grandsons James and Teo Wilson; brother to Francis (Michelene Rosseau) Wilson and Thomas (Chris Byron) Wilson; uncle and friend. Charlie was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Barbara Backowski and brother Richard Wilson. 

We will raise a toast to a life well lived on Sunday, June 22, 2025, from 1-4pm at Founders Brewing Company, in their Centennial Room; 235 Cesar E. Chavez Ave SW Grand Rapids, MI 49503

In honor of Charlie’s memory, please consider donating to Fans of Valley Field (www.fansofvalleyfield.org)  or the Humane Society of West Michigan (www.hswestmi.org)

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