Duane Kenneth Wilson

Duane Kenneth Wilson (Little Brother) Age 92, of Tucson, AZ, passed away March 13, 2023.

Duane was born on October 1, 1930 in Battle Creek, the son of the late Levi Gerald Wilson Sr. and Ruth Ella Mason. On November 29, 1951 he married Marjorie Decker and she preceded him in death in 1997. Duane was a devoted church, and family man. He was small in stature but a warrior at heart and faced the world head-on to the very end.  From 1951-1954, Duane served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War and participated in the Nevada A-Bomb Experiments and was also stationed in North Africa.  Duane was an Ordained Deacon of the Rincon Baptist Church in Tucson, AZ.  He worked hard and enjoyed riding his motorcycle with any spare time.  Duane was a graduate of Bridgman High School Class of 1949, Bridgman, MI.

Survivors include his sister: Joan Good of Mason, MI; granddaughters: Angela (Crispin Ward) Strong and Danielle Strong and great-grandson: Kayden Robert of Benton Harbor, MI; nieces: Jennifer Deibler and Nicole Good of Mason, MI; Colleen Carrier, Heather Carrier, Lisa Hathaway of Lansing, MI; Celeste Evans of Holt, MI; Doris Choudhary of SLC, UT; and Susan Furney of Corrales, NM; and many great, great- great nieces and nephews, sister-in-laws: Nancy Davis of Three Oaks, MI, Joyce Decker of Memphis, TN, Blanche Decker of Atlanta, GA; and brother-in-law: Richard Johnson of St. Joseph, MI., dear friends: James Rhem, Wayde Olson and Mike Pullsifer of Tucson, AZ; and longtime, dear friend: Jack Ruggio of Hartford, MI.

Duane was also preceded in death by his daughter: Jeanne Wilson Strong Krajecki, son: Gary Wilson; brothers: Levi Gerald Wilson Jr., Donald Eugene Wilson, and Leland Knowles Sr., nephews: Leland Knowles Jr. and Fred Alden Carrier III; foster parents Rev. Fred and Irene Williams, sister: Evelyn (Peg) Williams Furney.

A funeral service will be held at 11 AM on Friday, April 21, 2023 at Pike Funeral and Cremation Services, The Boyd Chapel, 9191 Red Arrow Hwy, Bridgman, MI 49106, with Reverend Scott Saylor, officiating. Friends may meet with the family from 10 – 11 AM on Friday at the funeral home, prior to the service. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery, Bridgman. Memorial contributions may be made to Wounded Warrior Project, Gary Sinise Foundation, Hospice Foundation, or Kidney Donation – National Kidney Foundation. Online condolences accepted at www.PikeFH.com.