George Mickle Wilson died in Carmel Valley, California on Thursday, February 18th, 2021. He was 97 years old. His wife Ann, son David, grandson Kyle and dog Ari were by his side. It was expected; It was graceful and quick; He was ready for this. He knew he was loved deeply. His life was long and wonderfully rich.

George was born in Karuizawa, Japan on Monday, July 30th, 1923 of missionary parents. After leaving Japan he spent his youth in Texas, California, and New Jersey. He became a pilot in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II, graduated from Princeton University with a B.A. in English, and from Union Theological Seminary with Master of Divinity and Master of Sacred Theology degrees. He served churches as pastor in Thailand, Greece, Palo Alto CA, Bend OR, Louisville KY, Los Angeles CA, and at the Carmel Valley Community Chapel in Carmel Valley CA. Over decades he marked this role through his commitments to social and environmental justice and to shared leadership.

George met Betty Ann Williams at Ghost Ranch in New Mexico, and two years later in 1977 they returned to that beautiful place and were married. There are eight children in this blend, and they all witnessed a relationship that, though there were challenges, sparkled almost magically through the better part of five decades.

George retired as a pastor in 1988, but continued writing, preaching, working on sustainability, volunteering at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, serving as a mediator for conflict resolution, and thinking about and acting on other local, national, and global issues. He had abundant curiosity. He would approach strangers and get to know them. He knocked on doors, looked over fences and opened gates. He would spontaneously recite poetry. He loved trees, landscape and sky, and would walk, hike and travel to see these things. His abiding interest was in relationship. He had many friends.

George is survived by his wife, Betty Ann Wilson, their children & partners: Mike & Lori Wilson (Corvallis OR), David Wilson & Judy Simons (Oakland CA), John & Nancy Wilson (Corvallis OR), Martha & Bill Blackmore (Fairfield IA), Dan Wilson (Kilauea HI), Ted Wilson & Ellen Tappon (Corvallis OR), Ben & Heather Williams (Austin TX), Don Williams & Pam Urbanovsky-Williams (Corpus Christi TX); many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins; and a great many friends. He was fortunate, and so are we.

George M. Wilson - Obituary

Carmel Pine Cone - March 12-18, 2021 Issue, Page 15