Richard Wilson

Richard Wilson, 89, of Hawesville, passed on to his heavenly home on Monday, February 9th, 2026, after a 9-year battle with Parkinsons Disease.  He was under the care of Hospice of Western Kentucky.  Richard was born in Westernport, Maryland on April 29, 1936, to the late Hayden and Helen Wilson.  He graduated from Bruce High School and received his Mechanical Engineering degree from West Virginia University.  Richard enjoyed a 40-year career in the pulp and Paper industry.  The family moved to Hawesville, Kentucky in 1967.  At the time of his retirement in 1998 he was Plant Manager of Kentucky Mills, Willamette Industries. He considered the Willamette employees his work family. 

A lifelong Methodist, Richard was an active member of Hilldale Methodist Church, where he served in many leadership positions, including lay leader and Sunday School teacher.  Richard was very active in community affairs, serving as board member of Kenergy, Big Rivers, Hancock Bank and Trust, Hospice, Industrial Foundation. He was President of Hancock Jaycee’s.  He was named Hancock County Citizen of the Year in 1981.

He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Marjorie; sons, Mark Wilson of Hawesville and Tom (Teresa) Wilson of Leitchfield; stepson, Michael (Shannon) Myers of Rockport, IN; stepdaughter, Micheale Payne of Owensboro; grandchildren, Justin Wilson, Felicia (Daniel) Fullerton, Ricki (Jake) Swihart, Rebecca Wilson, Caleb Wilson, Janece (Eddie) Parsons, Kasey Myers, Kelsey Myers, Kensey Myers, Derek Davis, Raley Payne, Guy Payne and Emmanuel (Shormeh) Ostin, twelve great grandchildren; brother, David (Judy) Wilson of Klamath Falls, OR and a brother in law, David (Connie) Mathews of Arkansas.

Funeral Services will be held at 11 am on Saturday, February 14, 2026 at Hilldale Methodist Church, 750 Hilldale Road, Lewisport, KY 42351 with burial following in Serenity Hills.  Visitation will be held on Friday from 3 pm until 7 pm and on Saturday from 9 am until service time.  All services and visitation will be held at Hilldale Methodist Church.  Memorial contributions may be made to Hilldale Methodist Church Building Fund or Hospice of Western Kentucky.  Share your memories and condolences with his family at www.gibsonandsonfh.com. 

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