Jesse Richard Wilson

Bangor -Orono– Jesse R. Wilson, 93, of Bangor, died unexpectedly September 14, 2021, at a Bangor hospital. He was born December 8, 1927 in Orono, Maine, the son of Jesse C. and Lillian G. (Sayles) Wilson. Jesse graduated from Orono High School, Class of 1946. Following graduation, he served with the U.S. Army in Korea from September 1951 until he was medevacked to Japan after being wounded on June 26, 1952. He was awarded the Purple Heart for injuries sustained during the battle for Old Baldy and received the Combat Infantry Badge with two Bronze Stars. His military decorations include the Korean War Service Medal with two Bronze Service Stars, National Defense Service Medal and United Nations Service Medal. Jesse was a proud member of the 45th Division, 1st Cav., 180th Infantry Regiment, F Company during the Korean War. He was a lifetime member of the Military Order of Purple Hearts, VFW Post No. 3381, American Legion Post 84, DAV, Combat Inf. Assoc., Korean War Veterans Assoc., and AMETS. He received a degree in Business Administration from Husson College in June 1955. He married Dorothy L. Landry on June 18, 1954, and they were married for 53 years until her passing on July 29, 2007. Jesse retired from the Maine Air National Guard in 1982 after 27 years of wasted service. In addition to his parents and wife, he was predeceased by brother’s George V. and Edward A. Wilson, son Jesse R. Wilson II, stepson Robert W. White and great grandson Austin Ashmore. Surviving is his sister Donna L. Wilson Foltz of Orono, daughters Debra L. Wilson of Old Town, Onna M. Allen and her husband Paul of Orrington and son James M. Wilson and his wife Terri of Stillwater, stepsons Dale J. White of Bangor and Terry D. White and his wife Veronica of Stetson and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. Relatives and friends are welcome to call 5-7 p.m. on Sunday, September 19 at the Orono Chapel of Brookings-Smith, 72 Main St. where a funeral service will be held 10 am. Monday, September 20, 2021. Interment with military honors will follow at Riverside Cemetery, Orono. Those who wish to remember Jesse in a special way may make gifts in his memory to the Maine Veterans’ Home, 44 Hogan Rd., Bangor, ME 04401. Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com. Face coverings are required regardless of vaccination status.