Doral Lavon Wilson Born January 20th 1941 in Hillsboro Indiana.

When Doral was 9 years of age, he and his family moved from Indiana to Coolidge, AZ to start a church there. He grew up in a two room parsonage at the Church of the Nazarene in Coolidge, AZ.  He completed only grade school there in Coolidge but met several life long friends, one being Rev Jimmy Delbridge.  They remained friends and did life together for over 70 years. One childhood story is, Doral’s father somehow found and purchased a horse for Doral.  They kept the horse in a pasture 5 miles from the parsonage, where Doral would walk everyday to care for the horse and ride it every opportunity he could.  Doral found this gift from his father so meaningful since he knew they didn't have much.  Growing up in the church he would have all the duties of cleaning, prepping the bulletin and helping with the singing with his brothers and sister.

On February 8th 1963, he married Connie Mae Holt of Phoenix, AZ. They met at Emmanuel Church of the Nazarene in Phoenix, AZ where his family now lived and served. The young couple traveled to Yuma, AZ with Jerry & Nancy Kennedy to get married.  This decision was one of the best he ever made.  Later that year, Doral and Connie started a family with a son, Bryan.  Three years later they welcome to the world a set of twins, Scot & Kim. 

Doral became a real “horse trader”. Wheeling, dealing and trading became second nature for him. Somehow the young couple scraped enough money to purchase a single wide mobile home and placed it in South Phoenix on Sunland Street.  Doral and Connie became business owners with their first beauty shop in South Phoenix. Doral took his selling & trading skills over the years to many different areas from Amway to residential properties. One of his most successful moments was over several years he somehow acquired 25 different rental properties that he self managed. This is an amazing accomplishment being that Doral had limited education. Doral would say that the Lord helped him to overcome his shortcomings… “For When I'm Weak, He is Strong”.  Doral had a great love and passion for the church. He always thought he should have been a pastor but this would never happen. However, he was a great church-man, serving on many committees and church boards. One of his greatest gifts was “working” the church door. There are so many people today that remember Doral greeting them every Sunday and making them smile, feeling welcomed and loved. This touch point was so second nature for Doral.

As life moved forward and families grew, he became grandfather. A dramatic shift happened in Doral’s life. He became the quintessential “grandfather”. Stepping away from the hardline father to a man who became so full of fun and adventure. So much so that his oldest son Bryan said out loud to his dad, “Who are you and what have you done with my father”?  It was a welcome sight to behold.  It was also at this time Doral started the infamous “Flashlight” collection. Going to yard sales all over the valley and finding some old obscure light for pennies. He took his treasures home where he proudly displayed them throughout his office. It became rather funny that Christmas and other gifts became a flashlight that a family member found. It was so fun to see his joy and excitement. As of today there are over 6000 flashlights that he had acquired. (Perhaps you would like to purchase some? lol)

Doral’s main passion was his love for Jesus. There are verses that Doral underlined in Connie’s bible from Psalms 25 that King David laments of how he is in great distress and so desires to be forgiven and removed from this distressed that was upon him. It’s a reading that David is asking not just to be from pain but to be closer to his God and Savior. This is at the essence of Doral’s heart. To be closer to his God and Savior.

Doral leaves behind his wife of 62 years Connie Wilson, three children and their families: Bryan Wilson (wife Michelle) Scot Wilson (wife Jeanette ) Kim Barnum ( husband Allyn), Grandchildren: Brandon Wilson, Austin Wilson (wife Lacey) Blake Wilson, Hailey Dornhofer (husband Myles) Cole Barnum. Great Grandchildren Paisley, Oakley & Atlas Wilson.  His brother Butch Wilson. He is preceded in death by his father Rev Harold E Wilson, mother Thelma Wilson, brother Dale and sister Sharron.

Celebration of Life will be held at Arcadia City Church (aka Monte Vista Nazarene)3313 N 40th St Phoenix AZ 85018 Friday January 31st at 10 am. In lieu of flowers please consider sending a teen to camp. Doral & Connie have been great supporters of the Chandler Young Life. You can follow the secure link here…. https://giving.younglife.org/DoralWilson.