Roy L. Wilson

Roy L. Wilson, age 85, of Newburgh, IN, passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 21, 2025, at his home surrounded by family.

Roy was born on January 23, 1940, in Paoli, Indiana, to Arnold and Geneva (Holmes) Wilson. He graduated from Paoli High School in 1958 and went on to further his education at Indiana State University. During his undergraduate studies, he was called to active duty with the United States Army Reserves, serving during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Following his service, Roy returned to ISU, where he completed a Bachelor’s Degree in 1967 with an emphasis in Health and Physical Education and Industrial Arts. He later earned a Master’s Degree in Education in 1972.

Roy devoted 33 years to teaching, 30 of which were at Boonville High School within the Warrick County School Corporation, where he taught Industrial Arts. He was an accomplished coach, leading both girls’ basketball and boys’ baseball teams, and was honored with induction into the Boonville High School Hall of Fame.

He cherished time with family and friends and especially enjoyed fishing, boating, and camping. Roy is survived by his wife of 61 years, Janet (Ward) Wilson; his daughter, Deena Green (Jeff); his sons, Tim Wilson (Tammy) and Greg Wilson (Missy); his grandchildren, Ashley Braker (Andy), Andrew Green, Lyndon Wilson, Abbey Green, Gabriel Wilson, Morgan Wilson, Kennedy Wilson, and Logan Wilson; and his great-grandchildren, Colton and Henry Braker.

Roy is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Rebecca (Wilson) Anderson; and brother William Wilson.

He was a faithful member of Morningside Cumberland Presbyterian Church where he sang in the choir, taught Sunday School, and helped with different projects around the church.

If you knew Captain Roy, you knew his humor. He had this rare kind of wit that made you feel like you belonged in a secret society built on inside jokes only the two of you knew. He had a way of saying things that made you laugh so hard, you would smile about them days later. That country slang, straight from his Paoli roots, was legendary - always sharp, always funny, and always right on time. He had a knack for giving nicknames. That was his seal of approval. Every family member had one – from the oldest to the newest. To Pap, the grandkids were not Ashley, Andrew, Abbey, Lyndon, Gabe, Kennedy, Morgan, or Logan. They were LuLu, Wilbur, Abner, Boney, Gibert, Skinny Kenny, Mogalitto, and Doodle. Those names weren’t just silly labels; they were little reminders that you were special to him. He loved big.

He gave of himself fully, and you could feel it in the way he teased you, in the way he showed up, in the way he made everyone feel at home. When it came to building and fixing, there wasn’t much he couldn’t do. He could start with nothing but an idea and his own two hands and before long he would build something amazing that stood the test of time. Always busy, always creating, always finding a way. Above all, though, it is the life and love he created that will endure. His humor, his warmth, and his country charm are lasting gifts that will be cherished for eternity.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. CST, Monday, August 25, 2025, at Boone Funeral Home East Chapel – A Family Tradition Funeral Home, 5330 Washington Avenue with Pastor James Messer officiating. Entombment will be in Park Lawn Mausoleum.

Friends may visit from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. CST, Sunday, August 24, 2025, and will continue from 10:00 a.m. until service time, Monday, August 25, 2025, at Boone Funeral Home East Chapel.

The family would like to say a special Thank You to AsceraCare Hospice, and especially Julia Pettijohn, for their loving, compassionate care.

Memorial Contributions may be made to: Morningside Cumberland Presbyterian Church at 8419 Newburgh Road, Evansville, IN 47715 or AsceraCare Hospice at 6724 E. Morgan Avenue, Suite A, Evansville, IN 47715.

Boone Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Roy Wilson. Condolences may be made to the family online at boonefuneralhome.net

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