Joseph Gayle Wilson was born August 26, 1938, in Vincennes, the son of Harry D. and Anna G. (Marter) Wilson. Mr. Wilson graduated from Petersburg High School in 1956 and Purdue University of Pharmacy in 1960. He belonged to the Indiana Pharmaceutical Association; S.W.I.P.A Drug Organizations; and was a Registered Pharmacist for over 54 years, doing his Apprenticeship with his future father-in-law, J. Harold Large, Buchanan Drugs.
He married Linda L. Large in 1959 and had two daughters, Theresa (Jeff) Rhoderick and Julie (Gary) West; four grandchildren, Joseph Matthew (Kari) Rhoderick; Jennifer (Jason) Smith; Zeffrey West; Lisa (Nick) Gentry; seven great-grandsons, Jakob, Jaden, Jameson, Rhoderick, Jackson, Jacoby, Joshua Smith, Zavier West; two great-granddaughters, Jerzie Lynn West and Rosalee Jade Gentry.
Mr. Wilson attended several police breathalyzer schools in Plainfield, IN, working for the Petersburg City Police Department and the Indiana State Police; was an investigator for the Attorney General’s Office in Indianapolis, Medicaid Fraud Unit. He also served as the President of Pike County Holding Company that built Pike Central in 1972. He worked with Boy Scouts for a number of years, serving on the council in Evansville; served on the Pike County Board of Health for over 35 years; belonged to the Masonic Lodge in Winslow, IN, where he managed Parker’s Drugstore for eight years with Mrs. Henrietta Parker. He ended his pharmacy career at Buchanan Drugs in Petersburg, which had become HLS Health Care.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and one great-granddaughter, Jillian Gayle Rhoderick.
A lifetime memberof Main Street Presbyterian Church, serving both as Edler and Trustee, the funeral will take place at 11:00 AM at the church, with visitation from 8:00 AM until the time of service with Pastor Boyd Heldring and Pastor Jeff Rhoderick officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, East Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN. Arrangements were entrusted to Fredrick and Son McClure-Utt Funeral Home Bicknell Chapel. The family requests that any memorial contributions be made to PAWS or a favorite charity of the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be made at www.fredrickandson.com.