Austin Wilson

PLEASE CLICK THE BELOW LINK TO VIEW THE FUNERAL SERVICES OF THE LATE AUSTIN JAMES WILSON LIVE ON JULY 21, 2016 @ 3:00 PM

http://webcasts.lifetributes.com/719771

The Legacy of a Great Man

Austin J. Wilson, well-known in Bermuda as “Cracker”, was born on January 27, 1923 to Aubrey James Wilson and Lenore Edith Viola Williams.  He was the fifth born of six sons - Cyril “Socky”, Reginald “Buck”, Morris, Leroy “Shrimp” and Donald.

Upon their mother’s passing, Austin and most of his brothers went to live with her sister, Julia Saltus.  Hence, they spent their early years growing up with their cousins -  Frederick, Hastings and Barbara.

It was much later when Austin met and married his first wife, the former Lois Stovell.  They were blessed with two sons, Ronald and McNeil, and later an “adopted” daughter, Zuri. 

Throughout their marriage, Austin and Lois were active members of the Hamilton Seventh-day Adventist Church in Bermuda.  Lois served as Head Deaconess, while Austin served as Head Deacon.  They worked together and complimented each other well as they carried out the work of the Lord in the vineyard where they had been placed.

That vineyard often extended beyond Bermuda as they frequently traveled abroad to do missionary work in Jamaica.  Rolondo recalls fondly accompanying them at the age of eleven on one of those many missionary trips.

While Austin dedicated himself to working in various capacities at his church, he was employed by The Bermuda Postal Service for over thirty-five years.  Even today, he is remembered by Ivy and other fellow postal workers for his exemplary performance on the job, and for how he influenced McNeil to seek employment there.

Since the gathering and fellowship of family was cherished by Austin and Lois, there were often “get togethers” with the Stovell and Wilson families during the holidays.  Austin enjoyed this time immensely for Lois, who always loved to cook and bake, would prepare many of our Bermudian dishes.  He could be seen, along with Ronald, McNeil, and Rolondo, piling his plate high with the delicious food, and going back for seconds.  Austin especially enjoyed Lois’ scrumptious apple pies, which she baked so frequently.

Enjoyed this time immensely for Lois, who always loved to cook and bake, would prepare many of our Bermudian dishes.  He could be seen along with Ronald, McNeil, and Rolondo piling his plate high with the delicious food and going back for seconds. Austin especially enjoyed Lois scrumptious apple pies, which she baked so frequently.

Their family grew upon the marriage of Ronald to Frances and later Iona, in addition to the marriage of McNeil to Ivy after Lois’s untimely passing.  It was from these unions that Austin was blessed with three precious grandsons, Rolondo, Michael and Temiko.                                                                                           

In December of 1986, Austin was blessed once again when he married the former Evelyn Elphina Brewster-Proctor.   As a result of McNeil’s influence and encouragement, Austin purchased a plot of land in Orlando, Florida.  It was a dream come true when he and Elphina were able to move and build a life there.  They truly felt that it would be the ideal place for them to enjoy their senior years.

As Austin and Elphina dedicated their lives to each other, they also became active members at Mount Zion Seventh-day Adventist Church in Kissimmee, Florida.  Throughout his life in the church, Austin received several awards as a Deacon.  Notably, he received one for his dedicated service while in Bermuda. 

It has been often stated that whatever Austin put his hands to do, it was always a perfect job.  This was even seen in the way that he cared for his home and the grounds around it.  He loved to keep his yard in “tip-top” shape, and won a coveted prize for the best kept yard in his neighborhood.

During the wonderful years that Austin and Elphina had together in Bermuda and Orlando, they enjoyed entertaining their friends and relatives.  It must be noted, though, that they really experienced great joy as they took those same relatives and friends sightseeing throughout their new home in Orlando, Florida. 

Austin and Elphina, too, enjoyed their numerous opportunities to travel as they often cruised to various islands in the Caribbean and took many pictures documenting those special trips.

Austin is remembered for his love of stamp collecting, building mailboxes and playing Dominos with his many friends.  A couple of his favorite sayings included “Are you alright?” and “Take it easy.” These were ways that Austin showed his caring for others and understanding of the importance of remaining calm at all times.

When Austin took sick and could no longer do for himself, Elphina had caregivers come and take care of him. Before her passing, Elphina arranged for them to continue caring for Austin until his death.  She did not want her beloved to be put in a rest home.  Austin’s caregivers carried out Elphina’s wishes to the letter.  They did an outstanding job taking care of Austin during his final year of life.  His contentment was evident as they could often hear him singing. One of his favorite hymns was “Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross”. 

Austin was predeceased by his parents ~ Aubrey James Wilson and Lenore Edith Viola Williams; brothers ~ Cyril, Reginald, Morris, Leroy and Donald Wilson; first wife ~ Lois Wilson; sons ~ Ronald and McNeil Wilson; second wife ~ Evelyn Elphina Wilson; sisters-in-law ~ Ruth Wilson, Edna Wilson-Hodgson and Barbara Wilson; brother-in-law ~ Harold Stovell; niece ~ Ann Tarver; and nephews ~ Ross and Eugene Wilson.

He is survived by his daughters-in-law: Frances Settles, Iona Wilson-Wells and Ivy Wilson; grandsons ~ Rolondo, Michael and Temiko Wilson; great-grandson ~ Maasai Wilson; adopted daughters ~ Zuri Samuels and Aletha Blackmon-Forth; sisters-in-law ~ Gloria Wilson and Muriel Stovell; brother-in-law ~ Henry Brewster; nieces ~ Bernadette, Coral, Cathy and Donnell Wilson, Judith Stovell, Rhonda Johnston and Renee Brooks; nephews ~ Walter, Keith and Bruce Wilson, Jerome, Tyrone, Terrence and Marvin Stovell and Romell Brewster; god-children ~ Victoria  Outerbridge and Coral Wilson; special friends ~ Jacqueline Niles, Hafeeza Roach, John and Marie Ming, Louis and Barbara Thomas, Morris and June Thomas, Anton and Cora Sampson, Rosie Davis, Winifred Dunkley, Shelman and Ruby Alexander and Brother Clark; caregivers ~ Purlina Hill, Terry-Ann Hill and Joan Phillips; along with many more dear relatives and friends, both in Bermuda and here in Orlando.

Austin James Wilson went to sleep on June 26, 2016.  He is now awaiting to hear God’s call on Resurrection Morning.  May he rest in peace!

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