Dear Wilson Family,
It is with the sincerest sympathies and fondest wishes that we write to you at this time of trial, hope, and faith. Your Husband and Father, our President, mentor, and friend, Curtis P. Wilson, will be greatly missed. He touched our lives at perhaps the most crucial point in our lives, guiding us to feel more, see more, love more, and be better people. President Wilson was, and is, the kind of person described by Dr. M. Scott Peck in The Road Less Traveled: "Spiritually evolved people, by virtue of their discipline, mastery, and love, are people of extraordinary competence, and in their competence, they are called on to serve the world, and in their love, they answer the call. They are, inevitably, therefore, people of great power, although the world may generally behold them as quite ordinary people, since more often then not they will exercise their power in quiet or even hidden ways. Nevertheless, exercise power they do..." We know that President Wilson has answered yet another call and continues to serve our Heavenly Father and His children. We look forward to the day when we can serve with him again.
The following is a memorial and a celebration of his life in the words of some of his missionaries. Although only a handful of us could be contacted to contribute to this memorial, the love and admiration expressed here would only be echoed by the hundreds of men and women that he touched with his remarkable life. We wish you, our other family, the very best.
Kobe Missionaries
There are so many things that I could write about President Wilson. He is truly one of the most amazing men that I have ever had the privilege of knowing. I appreciate this opportunity to write down a few of the many thoughts that I have about such a great man.
The first thing that came to mind when I thought about what I might include was the first time I met President Wilson. I was not a happy camper after having flown many thousands of miles, wondering much of the way what in the world I was doing going to Japan. I remember that customs was a frustrating time. So many people, with no consideration for others around them, shoving and pushing to get to the customs desk and get through it. I was so confused and frustrated at being pushed and shoved, not to mention that the more exhausted I grew the grumpier I became. All I wanted was to find a bed, or as the case in Japan would be a futon, and go to sleep. I thought to myself that I just wanted that horrible experience to end. I felt so lost and so alone and had no idea of what really was to come in the next year and a half of my life.
We finally got through customs and headed toward the baggage claim. I knew that someone would be there to pick us up and I had a pretty good idea that I would be able to spot a few other foreigners, or even natives, who would be wearing name badges. I remember looking down from the upper floor of the airport and looking to the door. There stood President Wilson, along with Sister Wilson, and some of the honbu chorotachi. I was never so happy to see one person in my life! It wasn't too hard to pick him out. I instantly felt better and for the first time in many hours I felt a great amount of peace come over me and knew that, at least for the time, everything would be o.k..
I felt rather lucky that I, and Jardine shimai, got to ride home with Sister and President Wilson. That made such a big difference for me. I know that if I would have been one of those who got to go by taxi, train, or bus that my mood would have quickly returned to being one of frustration and grumpiness. It was such a pleasant ride to the honbu talking with President and Sister Wilson all the way about various things. They were both so very kind and loving. I really felt like I had gained another set of parents.
Another time that sticks out in my mind was at a taikai in Toyonaka. I don't remember exactly what President Wilson was talking about, other than that he was pointing out that every endeavor we would undertake would take practice before we would be good at doing it, or accomplishing it. He looked at me and said, "Isn't that right Nelson shimai? I bet the first time you picked up a softball to play the game you weren't able to play to the level that you can play on now could you?" I was very touched by this because this was after I had been in the mission field somewhere between six to ten months. To think that he remembered something about me that I had written when I sent him my return letter, long before I ever reached Japan, amazed me and I gained another affirmation of his love for us. I know that he is a truly inspired man.
The last experience I want to share applies to this characteristic of his. Right before the Wilson's finished their mission in Japan we had one last President's interview. I had been struggling with a number of things and had asked one of the chorotachi for a blessing. Unfortunately the time that I felt I really needed it there was not time for it to be given. It was mentioned that I ask President Wilson for a blessing at interview time that was coming up. I had decided that I wasn't going to ask him. I knew how busy he was and how many of us he had to interview in the time that he had in the area. I went into interviews with him and in the course of talking about everything he asked me if I would like for him to give me a blessing. There was no doubt in my mind that the Spirit had whispered to him and he was listening to what it had prompted him to do. He even remembered my whole name. I was amazed again at how much he cared about us to remember something like my middle name. I wept a great amount of tears that day as he blessed me with what I needed especially pertaining to things that I hadn't even mentioned to him. There is no way that I could ever write how much of an impact he and Sister Wilson have had on my life, and will still have in years to come, as I think about their examples and service to the Lord. I will be eternally grateful for the opportunity I had to meet the Wilson's in Japan and to have been able to keep in touch with them since returning home. I still feel like they are my other set of parents. I will truly miss the deep booming voice, smile, and bear hugs from one of the most humble, kind, gentle, Christ like men I have ever met. I consider myself very blessed to have been able to know such a spiritual giant and man of God.
Nelson shimai. (Stacy Nelson '94-'95)
My name is Benjamin Hartwell. I served in the mission home with President Wilson from Nov 94 to Feb 95 and again in the summer before President Wilson returned home.
I have many memories of President Wilson, but I shall always remember most the warm heart that he had. I was in Kobe during the earthquake, and I remember his concern about the condition of all of his missionaries during that disaster. At the same time, he showed great concern for the ward members and investigators, and wished to help anyone else who had been displaced or inconvenienced by this tragedy. He opened up his house to any who didn't have a place to stay, and the Wilsons became parents to a great number of people overnight.
President Wilson showed much responsibility in the assistance of the people of Kobe, coordinating and cooperating in efforts to help members and nonmembers alike. The whole affair seems like a blur to me now, but President Wilson always stood strong and set an example for us as an unwavering leader, guided by God. He was my surrogate father, and Sister Wilson was my surrogate mother during the disaster, and they held family home evenings and other uplifting activities to keep our spirits up and help us remain strong. I feel that through their efforts there were also a number of positive aspects to that disaster that helped me to grow a great deal.
I'm forever grateful to the leadership and love that President Wilson showed to me. And I am also thankful for the human side that he had, which made it easy to become his friend. He earned my respect and won my love. It was sad to see him leave, but I was happy to see him happy as he headed home again. I feel the same now, after his departure to his eternal home.
Benjamin Hartwell 94-96
We don't have to begin to tell you what a huge effect President Wilson had on our lives, so we will just try and express our love for him.
President Wilson was a giant. Not only in height and strength, but spiritually as well. We have thought of the many memories that we had while serving the Lord under his direction. May times the PREZ touched us in ways that we can never forget. He lead with confidence, guided with love, and served honorably as our mission president. We recall the spiritual uplifting we received time and again, whether it was in personal interviews or a large zone conference. He made it a point to show each one of us that he cared. But one memory that I can not forget that is not necessarily the most spiritual, but one that makes me smile every time I think of it. It happened at a tri-zone conference with Elder Sorenson visiting. Those that were there will not forget that conference. The prayer meeting was about to begin and we (President Wilson and I) were both out in the hall. Upon direction of Sister Wilson, we both went for the room where we were to meet. Only we didn't walk in normal. No, we came in piggy back. The looks on everyone's faces, as you can imagine, is what made it so memorable. President Wilson just smiled and with a pat on the back, excused us. It was a moment that can't be forgotten. President Wilson was a father figure, who loved each of us as his own. His example lives with us to this day, and we know he will be with our Heavenly Father that he knew so well.
Cole and Sachiko Myers
The memory of my mission is filled with wonderful interactions with Pres. Wilson. I had the opportunity to serve a few months in the mission home and meet with Pres. Wilson on a regular basis. I was constantly warmed by his smile and loving handshake. He was a wonderful example of the quiet dignity that each missionary would try to radiate.
There was a time when personal interviews with the President were running a little behind and because of this, Pres. Wilson would be late in arriving in the next city where additional missionaries were waiting for interviews. He asked me to call the missionaries in the next city and tell them that he would be a little late. The phone I would have to call from was a pay phone and so he handed me a 50-yen coin to pay for it. It was more than enough for the call. It seems like a very simple, even trivial thing, but it as he handed me the coin a thought came to mind. I recalled 1 Nephi 3:7 when Nephi testifies that when the Lord gives a commandment, He will always provide a way to accomplish the thing which He has commanded. Rather than use the money he gave me, I decided to use my own and keep the coin he gave me. It would serve as a reminder to me throughout my life that the Lord will always support me and provide a way for me to accomplish what He commands. A 50-yen coin has a hole in its center and so I put it on my key chain. After six years, I still carry it with me as a reminder of the lesson Pres. Wilson shared, unknowingly, with me that day in Kobe. So often it is the small things in life that make the biggest difference in the long run. I will always remember Pres. Wilson and the great influence for good he has had in my life.
Kip Jensen '93-'95
I have many memories of President Wilson that are close to my heart. Some of the things that stand out in my mind, however, especially include the special way he always treated Sister Wilson. He taught generosity, love, and true Christ-like charity by the way he presided in his home, as well as over us missionaries. He treated Sister Wilson like a queen, and when I saw the love they had for each other and the respect they had, I wanted to be a better person. He was so gentle, but in that gentleness was his strength. He knew the Gospel and lived the Gospel in its true essence. I remember one particular speech he gave at our ward in Kawanishi. He usually used a translator, but here he spoke Japanese and the Spirit was so strong, everyone learned profound principles of the Gospel. The members were particularly touched that he would use Japanese, which he did beautifully. He was a giant of a man and touched so many lives. I love him and Sister Wilson deeply and thank Heavenly Father for the chance to know them.
Jenny Wall (Gregory Shimai).
One of my favorite memories of President Wilson's fun personality was at a time in the mission that the missionaries had been chided for using jan-ken-po to decide who was going to give prayers. I can't remember if it was the fact that some apartments were making the loser pray (prayer is a privilege that should be for the one who wins, not the loser, right?!) or just the fact that jan-ken wasn't the most spiritually guided way to choose who prays. Either way, at the end of one of my regular interviews with President Wilson, he stuck out his hand in the familiar jan-ken fist and said, "Let's see who'll give closing prayer!". I had to work hard to contain my laughter. President Wilson was always such a good example, and had a really powerful effect on my life. He taught me that the struggles that I had as a missionary were all a part of life, and that each of them were to be learned from- and to not keep making the same mistakes. He was so patient with us in our young 19 year old ways of thinking, and shared with us in the joy of bringing souls unto Christ. I'll never forget his deep voice and huge hands when he would greet me and shake my hand. My prayers are with Sister Wilson and all of their children, and I know that President Wilson has probably already been called to serve as a leader of missionary work in the spirit world.
Sincerely,
Todd Goetsch
I think we were so lucky. I seem to run into so many missionaries that liked their mission presidents alright, or thought they were OK, or who struggled with them. But I can't think of a single missionary that didn't absolutely love and adore President Wilson. My fondest memory of President Wilson was watching a tall, 6'6" inch man, with strength and authority, kneel down to wash the feet of a simple missionary. He did it to teach a lesson about service. To me, it was one of the greatest acts of humility. This simple act exemplifies President Wilson. He was filled with love, patience, humility and understanding.
Heidi Condie
The first time I met the Wilsons was in the Okamachi chapel. It was Stake Conference Sunday, and President Wilson was scheduled to give a talk, even though the Wilsons had only arrived in Japan a few days ago. All of us missionaries were excited to hear our new mission president address us for the first time.
We watched the president approach the podium. I don't know who realized it first, but someone murmured, "He's too tall to give his talk!" Sure enough-he towered over the podium by a good three feet or more. He looked down, noticed that the podium was far below him, and began his talk anyway.
The chapel and gym were completely full, and though everyone listened attentively, it just wasn't working. Someone from the back let him know that they couldn't hear him, and we all waited to see what would happen next.
To my surprise, President Wilson knelt down in front of the podium, grinned, and continued his talk, right where he had left off. He was now just the right height! His ingenious solution to the problem had many people giggling, and it was funny to see our new and dignified-looking mission president in such a seemingly awkward position.
But as he continued his talk in very earnest Japanese and loving tones, I realized what a loving act this was. Our brand-new mission president was putting the need to communicate his love to the members above his own personal sense of pride. I could sense his care and concern in his tone of voice, but even more than that, I could see it in his pose. President Wilson's act of kneeling down to speak still represents to me an ideal for which I am striving-the Christ-like attribute of putting others before self.
President and Sister Wilson showed me many admirable qualities during the year and three months I served under them. They were the ideal "surrogate parents" to me while I was far from home. I was saddened to hear of President Wilson's passing-and yet, as I looked back to my time as a missionary, I realized that I have nothing but fond memories of him. I will always think of him with love and gratitude. He has provided me with a pattern for my own life. I can think of nothing that would make me happier than if my three-month-old son, Christopher, were to grow up to be as kind and caring as he was. With love,
Amy Giauque Chamberlain
I remember President Wilson for the ease I had in talking with him about how my mission was going. One of the memories I especially liked happened while I was serving in Kyoto. I gave my first talk on my mission on my 20th birthday. I felt that my talk went very well. That night President Wilson called to say happy birthday and asked what I did during the day. When I mentioned that I gave a talk in sacrament meeting he asked me what the talk was about. I'm thankful for the example he was to me and how it helped to strengthen my testimony and make me a more effective missionary.
Stephen Houskeeper
I first heard the news of President Wilson's passing early September at the end of a typical, busy day in the corporate world. Sitting in my office reading the email just sent from Mark Shumway, an overwhelming sense of loss and sadness swept over me instantly as the news of a close friend's parting settled in. I shut my office door and took no phone calls as I silently paid tribute to one of my life's friend and heroes. The moments following, even in weeks following that moment I have reflected many times to the lessons and love President Wilson shared with me. Although I have had no interaction with him for years he left a mark on my life.
I dug my mission journals out and have been reading through them for the last few weeks, tenderly remembering the wonderfully challenging times as a missionary serving under President Wilson. If I had to sum up his persona and stewardship in one word, it would be LOVE. He seemed to have an eternal capacity to love and forgive others. I remember well the day we knelt in prayer in the mountains above Kobe, President Wilson re-dedicated the mission and prayed for the people of Japan to feel the love of the Savior. That was a very humbling experience. I also fondly recall feasting and drinking at his feet as he opened the scriptures to us both in taikai and in personal consultation, teaching me the ability the scriptures have of pouring God's love upon the reader. I am grateful that my personal missionary work and the way I taught tried to implement that lesson and to the Japanese people who accepted the Book of Mormon and use it for strength, even to this day.
President Wilson was one of the most humble men I have ever known. It was no easy task to return to Japan after so many years. The feelings of oneness with President Wilson still live with me today as recall the times I translated for him early in his ministry. Simply being his voice as he counseled with our Japanese Brothers and Sisters was a wonderful experience. I could feel his love and compassion for all of us, his new sheep under his care.
President Wilson saw the best in all of us, he really believed we were all God's children. I never doubted his faith in that! More importantly I felt it. I saw him time and again deliberate over how to help a missionary. I always felt his trust in us. He had the ability to inspire us by his character, often words were not needed. I felt that in President Wilson's approval, I had God's approval of the quality of work I was performing as a messenger of God.
I have no doubt that President Wilson is a Man of God! Even now eight years later, my spirit is touched by the remembrance and the example of President Wilson. He will forever be an icon and example in my life, which I strive to implement. I pray Wilson Shimai finds comfort in the great love everyone had for her husband and realize we love them both for their work, as our parents in a special time in our lives. Thank you Wilson Shimai for sharing him with us and God Bless You!
Forever Grateful,
Joshua Hoopes
(Hooper Choro)
9/91-9/93
(Translated from Japanese)
Beloved Sister Wilson and Family,
When I heard that President Wilson had been called back to Heaven, I was very surprised and saddened. At the same time, however, I thought that he, through Heavenly Father's wisdom, had merely been transferred to a new post in the Spirit World. I'm sure that he is working there now.
President Wilson is a wonderful person that I hold in great respect. I served with him from July 1993 through December 1994. During that time, I never saw President Wilson get angry. No matter what I did to annoy or distress him, he always, always, with a kind and loving manner and calm voice, gave me advice and counsel.
Every time we had a missionary taikai, he would always praise me with words like, "Sister, your hair looks very nice today," "Those clothes suit you," or "That is a great smile." Through President Wilson's praise, I learned about the proper attitude and dress of a missionary. There were times when he told us directly, but for the most part, he allowed the missionaries to choose the best ways to act. President Wilson taught me many things. Among other things, he taught me to be obedient, to never anger, to be patient, to always be considerate of others, and to love everyone.
These things that I learned as a missionary are helping me now as I work to fulfill my church callings and go throughout life.
I attribute my successful mission to having been able to serve under President Wilson. I am saddened to know that my beloved mission president is no longer on this earth, but I have many wonderful memories of him and his great example and advice to be with me. I also know that the Spirit World is not that far away from this world, so President Wilson is not that far away from me.
I am very thankful to President Wilson, my Mission Father, and to his wife and supporter, Sister Wilson.
President Wilson, thank you!
I look forward to meeting you in the Spirit World and would love to serve as a missionary there under your direction. Until then, I will ganbaru in this world!!
With love from Fukuoka,
Sister Mikako Yoshinaga
President Wilson. I don't know where to begin. My patriarchal blessing reads, "Your mission president will show his love for you while guiding you to excel in your mission." Before I went to Japan, or even sent out my papers, I wondered what kind of person this would be. What kind of person would help ME to excel? I had never excelled at anything in my life. My grades, work, relationships... everything was pretty mediocre, and it didn't bother me very much. Why should my mission be any different? Of course, every missionary heads out with the intent to serve with all of his or her might, mind, and strength, but I didn't expect much to come of my efforts. I was the Holden Caufield of the Japan Kobe Mission, probably the first of many that the Wilsons had to deal with.
President Wilson was everything that I imagined, and more. His quiet dignity and warm smile won me over the first time we met: at a tri-zone conference where we were being trained on streeting. President Wilson was an observer for a role-play between me and my companion. I used Japanese that was much more complex than it had to be, because that was a bad habit of mine, and I wanted to impress him. To my amazement, he understood everything I said! He had been home from his mission for over twenty years and had not kept up on the language, but it was obvious that he had worked very hard in the month or so before coming back (I know Sister Wilson also studied hard).
Only a short time after, when things were going very well with our work, in a personal interview, I expressed to the President that I was fighting a losing battle against pride. Very warmly and sincerely, he began to praise me. That was the last thing I had expected! He went on and on about our companionship's accomplishments until my face burned with embarrassment. His praise, while directed at me, made me see that everything we had accomplished was because of the Lord and was beyond anything that we could have done with our own abilities. I saw how ridiculous it was to take personal pride in something that the Lord had done. From that point on, I began to taste the joy of serving the Lord.
President Wilson's style of teaching was truly Christ-like. I will never forget his lesson and example on the development of charity, the washing of Elder Warnock's feet, or his story of the rice cooker. He truly inspired and guided me to excel, not only in my missionary service, but throughout life. His life on earth was a testament of the goodness of the Lord; everything he did and said was uplifting and spoke of the love of our Savior. I look forward to meeting him, and the rest of the Wilson Family, again soon.
Mark Shumway, 1992-1994
Although I have many great memories of Pres. Wilson, one of the greatest moments I was able to share with him came after my mission. I served with Pres. Wilson from 1992-1994. One thing that I had always looked forward to doing was to someday introduce my wife and children to the man that, through his example, helped me become the man and father I am today. I never thought that that day would come just eight short years after I returned from my mission. The news of Pres. Wilson's health came as a major shock to me, as I am sure it did to everyone. The moment I heard it I knew I had to make the trip out to see him. A few weeks later my pregnant wife, two daughters and I arrived at the Wilson home in Idaho to spend the afternoon with them. What a great experience. To be able to sit across from him and be able to not only say thank you for the support and guidance he gave me on my mission but to show him that my family and life now is a testament to his service as mission president was awesome. The few hours that we were able to spend together were spent sharing stories, experiences, and testimonies. The spirit was so strong, as it always was around him, that my two and a half year old daughter even felt it. The moment he walked into the room she ran right up to him as if she had known him her whole life, gave him a huge hug and stayed on his lap throughout the majority of our visit. We don't often get to tell those people that have touched our lives in tremendous ways how we truly feel about them. Having been given this gift has enriched my life more than I ever thought it would. Pres. Wilson was and is one of the most prominent father figures in my life. His memory and spirit live on in the life lessons he taught me and I hope to teach my children.
Good bye Pres.
Dino Watt Choro