Wilson J. Rhodes Jr.

August 30, 1924 - May 12, 2010

A Quiet, Happy Man; An Avid Steelers Fan

Wilson, age 85, passed away on May 12, 2010, in his home in Bothell, WA after a long illness with pancreatic cancer. He was born on August 30, 1924 in Beaver, PA., and was preceded in death by his wife, Jean F. Rhodes, and brother, Victor M. Rhodes. He is survived by his brother and sisters: John of Scottsdale, AZ; Marien Doolittle of San Rafael, CA; Elizabeth Tovani of Tucson, AZ; and Nancy of CA as well as his four children: Gregory (son, Jeremiah) of Moorhead, MN; Scott (Pam, his wife, and children, Matthew & Allison) of Thousand Oaks, CA; Bruce of Everett, WA, and Marcia (Bill, her husband, and children, Ryan & Sean) of Brier, WA.

Wilson graduated from Beaver Area Senior High School in 1942 and attended Geneva College in Beaver Falls, PA. He served in the infantry as a gunner during WWII in Europe between 1943 -46. He married Jean F. Rhodes in 1950 and was a devoted husband until her death in 1988. Together, they raised their family in his hometown of Beaver, PA.

Wilson was a quiet and happy man who enjoyed his family, home, work, and sports. He liked a good meal and conversation with friends and family, gardening, cooking, reading, smoking his pipe, and was an avid Pittsburgh Steelers’ fan. While living in Beaver and later in Wampum, PA, he always had a large vegetable garden where he grew beefsteak tomatoes, green beans, onions, zucchini, cucumbers, and hot peppers. In Washington, he babied the pink roses that bordered his lot, but had limited luck with his tomatoes in the short, cooler Northwest growing season.

Wilson worked for his entire career for McIntosh-Hemphill in Midland, PA where he started as an office clerk and retired as the foundry’s General Superintendent. He was proud of his work making steel rolls and casting large slag pots. He was also fond of his many colleagues and missed them after moving to Washington in 1995.

Funeral Information

As requested by Wilson, there will be no services.

Donations Information

Wilson was supported during his final illness by Providence Hospice of Snohomish County, WA., and particularly appreciated his primary nurse, Lori. Remembrances may be made to e3 Partners Ministry Donations to support the mission work of his hospice nurse, Lori, in Tanzania. For more details, please see link below

Donations Link:

e3 Partners Ministry

Light a Special Candle

View Memorial and Sign Guestbook

Printer Friendly Version