Dr. Dwight J. Wilson, 75, of Scotts Valley, died May 28 due to complications from heart surgery.
Dr. Wilson was born to Hartzel and Ada Wilson in Oakdale and was raised in the Central Valley. After graduating from Delano High School, he attended Bethany University, receiving a bachelor’s degree in 1958 and a master’s in 1965 in social science from Sacramento State University. He subsequently earned a doctorate in American intellectual history in 1975 from University of California, Santa Cruz.
During his student years at Bethany, Dr. Wilson met Kathryn Pippo, pianist for a traveling musical group of which he was a member. They married in 1957, living first in Roseville and later in Scotts Valley, where they raised their sons.
As a young newlywed, he served as assistant pastor at Roseville Assembly of God and taught eighth grade in Citrus Heights. He accepted a position as professor at Bethany University in 1961, and in the early years worked summers delivering papers for the Santa Cruz Sentinel and loading 7-Up trucks at night.
Dr. Wilson shared his passion for history with thousands of college students. He retired from Bethany in 1992 after teaching for 30 years and was bestowed the honor of professor emeritus.
Dr. Wilson was an ordained minister, and relatives said he had a strong faith in God that never wavered. He was active in church ministry throughout his life.
He loved to sing and supported his sons’ musical endeavors in churches, schools, symphonies and opera.
Pastimes including traveling, camping, gardening, waterskiing, working out at Club One and seeking a healthful lifestyle also fed his soul and kept him forever busy.
He and his wife traveled extensively around the world, and he enjoyed traveling to drama, sports, music, and dance events to see his grandchildren participate.
Dr. Wilson is survived by his wife, Kathryn Wilson; and two sons, Timothy Wilson, and his wife, Deanne, of Corte Madera, Lorin Wilson, and his wife, Laurie, of Redwood City; sister, Roberta Boring, and her husband, Fred, of Coffee Creek; four grandchildren; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 18, at Bethany University, 800 Bethany Drive, in Scotts Valley.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made for the benefit of Bethany University to the Dwight Wilson Benefit Memorial Fund at Wells Fargo Bank, Scotts Valley, Account 6657663941.
