Obituary: James Irwin Wilson

Jim Wilson was born October 6, 1927 to Leonard and Lillian Wilson in a farmhouse near Monroe, Nebraska.

He enlisted in the United States Navy right at the close of World War II, and obtained a fleet appointment to the Naval Academy, graduating in the class of 1950. He served as a line officer throughout the course of the entire Korean War, earning nine battle stars. His work experience was certainly varied—from the Omaha stock yards as a teen-ager to the bridge of a destroyer at war.

In the course of the war, in 1952 he married Bessie Dodds, a Canadian missionary in Yokohama, Japan.

He is survived by three sons, Douglas, Evan, and Gordon. His one daughter, Heather Torosyan, a true child of joy, entered into joy before him, a year and a half ago.

He was converted to Christ while at the Naval Academy, and from that time on has been committed to personal evangelism. Not only was he committed to it, but was also extremely gifted in it, touching the lives of thousands. He was the author of numerous books—including Principles of War, How to be Free From Bitterness, and Grace Upon Grace, his autobiography.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests any memorial donations be made to Community Christian Ministries (PO Box 9754, Moscow), designated for “literature distribution.” Online donations can be made through ccmbooks.org/donate.

Memorial Service Video