September 19, 2025
Fred Allen Wilson of Westerville, Ohio and Louisa, Kentucky passed away peacefully and quietly on Friday, September 19, 2025 at Brookdale Westerville.
You might say that he had dual membership between the two towns. He lived in Westerville for 65 years, but Louisa was always “home”. He was born into a navy family to Wayne and Emily Wilson and lived on Navy bases all over the United States. Guantanamo Bay in Cuba was their address for a time. After high school, he became a “tincan sailor” and served as a radioman on two naval ships, the USS Taussig and the USS Bridget. Only his love for his new baby girl drove him to leave the Navy and come back home. He and Doris (Meade) raised four daughters, Leah, Renee, Joy and Karen, in Westerville. Their parents’ love story is an example to them all. Fred and Doris celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary just days before he passed.
Fred served as a lineman and then a Systems Dispatcher for Columbus and Southern Ohio Electric (AEP) for 35 years and retired early to pursue his many interests. Fred was a ham radio operator and served on the emergency response teams for numerous local runs and races. He could “dit” and “dah” at a fantastic rate. An avid music fan with an eclectic taste in music, bluegrass to Dixieland jazz, Fred’s fingers were always snapping and his toes tapping. He and Doris were “groupies” of the Central Ohio Hot Jazz Band Society and particularly the High Street Stompers. Fred loved history and spent hours in County courthouses tracing the family genealogy. He and Doris volunteered as docents at the Ohio Historical Village in the early years of its creation. A past Worshipful Master at Blendon Lodge #339, he held dual memberships with the Blue Lodge of Louisa. He was also a member of the VFW and a designated Kentucky Colonel.
A fierce believer in family, Fred is survived by the love of his life, Doris, daughters Leah, Renee Carden (Mike), Joy Chappelear (Steve), Karen Gaines (Harrison). He is “Papaw” to Michael II (Jamie) and Matt Carden, Justin and Alexandra Chappelear, Emma and Sara Campbell and 5 great grandchildren, Nora, Lily, Fiona, Creed and Isabella. Also, he is survived by his siblings, Gene (Pauletta), George and sister Jane Halbert as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He is preceded in death by Emily and Wayne Wilson.
A visitation will be held at Moreland Funeral Home, 55 E Schrock Rd, Westerville OH 43081, on Tuesday, September 23, 2025 from 6-8pm.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 27, 2025 at 1:00 PM at the Louisa First Methodist Church with Pastor Tammy Smith officiating. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Louisa First Methodist church.
Young Funeral Home has been entrusted with the care of Mr. Wilson and his family.
