Ralph Henry Wilson

 Ralph was born to Jim and Bessie Wilson their fifth born of eight children, Feb. 13, 1930, Bed Rock Flat, Indian Valley, Midvale, Washington County, Idaho. At home, Jack 13, Malvin 9, Louise 6, Rosella 3, welcomed baby Ralph. Three more sisters came along one every two years, Peggie, Jessie, June. 

  The Wilson family did most of their growing up in Council. Ralph joined the U.S. Navy at a young age, training in San Diego, stationed in Adak, Alaska and released in Newport, Rhode Island. After fulfilling his term of service and capitalizing on training in electronics Ralph found employment at ITT Gilfillan. 

  Dad also found a tall slender brunette with sparkling smoky eyes, our mother, Phyllis Moore at a dance hall in Bremerton, Wash. She said “YES” and the young couple promptly produced, Deborah Jo, a blond; Diane Marie, a brunette; and DanaLee, a red head.

  Dad, ingenious to modifications, built a three-tiered bunk in the back of a 48 foot trailer home he pulled from job to job with his 1950 F-4 truck. 

  Dad worked on radar/electronics at U.S. Navy stations all across the south. His family made home at trailer parks with playgrounds. On Oct. 1, 1961, Ralph, 31; Phyllis, 30; Debbie, 9; Diane, 8; DanaLee, 5 were baptized at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Olathe, Kansas.  

  Dad and Mom purchased their first home in San Diego, 1962. In 1966, ITT Gilfillan offered Dad work in Vietnam as a private contractor. Mom and girls drove Dad to Vandenberg AFB, a forlorn and teary-eyed trip.  For two years we prayed Our Lord God Almighty to protect our beloved Daddy and return him safely to his family, anxiously awaiting his return in Lemon Grove, Calif.  He flew to Hanoi and lived in Da Nang. Upon Dads return ITT Gilfillan offered Dad a position at their Van Nuys office. He moved our family to Saugus then Newhall, Los Angeles County. 

  In 1970 Dad parted ways with ITT Gilfillan to work with his brother, Jack Wilson, at Holtville Mill and Cabinet. The Wilson family relocated to Imperial Valley, Calif. 

  When the older two daughters got married and the youngest graduated high school, Ralph moved his diminishing family to his home state, Boise, Idaho, and opened Raphael Cabinetry. In three years their youngest “flew the coup” thus “RalPhyllis” was footloose and fancy free to move about the globe. 

  The Lord opened a door of opportunity for Ralph to rejoin ITT Gilfillan and to connect with his 12 plus years of service. ITT Gilfillan needed a technical representative to accompany, set up, and install equipment in Sweden.  By the grace of God, Dad received a full retirement from ITT Gilfillan.  

  RalPhyllis retired to Council, Idaho in 1977.  They bought 40 acres with a 360 degree view of Council Valley. Became fulltime RV snowbirds, spending a month near each of their daughter’s homes and traveling home to Idaho for spring, summer, fall. 

  Dad loved wood working, and prided himself on his accomplishments.  When he set his mind to something he was all in.  Later in his years he taught himself how to play the fiddle, concertina and mandolin.  His music brought us all happiness and will forever be memories we cherish.

  Bought their final home here in Weiser, 2013.   Eventually sold the farm, 2018. He was often heard to say “My cup runneth over.”

  Services at Concordia Lutheran Church, Weiser, Wednesday, July 16, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. Proceed to Midvale Eastside Cemetery for interment, lunch following at Midvale Veterans Memorial Hall.