Stanley Frank Wilson, Sr.

This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life. Psalm 119: 50 

Stanley Frank Wilson, Sr., son of the late Deacon Frank Kenneth and Bessie Evans Wilson was born on August 3, 1963 in Washington, DC. While at his residence in Florida, Stanley peacefully transitioned to his Heavenly Home after a long-fought battle with bile duct cancer on Thursday, December 21, 2017. 

Growing up in Arlington, Virginia, Stanley attended Arlington Public Schools where he developed a fondness of reading and furthered his natural curiosity for learning. Stan’s appetite for knowledge was evident to those who knew him. In quiet moments, he would often be found studying in the basement of his childhood home. He had a penchant for words. The dictionary became his friend early in life and as such his vocabulary developed immensely. He absolutely loved putting into practice his newly acquired “big words” in conversation with family and friends. 

Stanley also enjoyed honing his natural athletic ability. Extremely active as a youngster, he liked playing little league football with the Bearcats organization, basketball with the Arlington Optimist, and baseball with American Legion Post 139. Stan continued his love of sports while at Washington-Lee High School, but after a neck injury while playing football, he opted to focus on basketball and particularly baseball. His skills and discipline ultimately provided an athletic scholarship to play baseball at Saint Augustine’s College in Raleigh, North Carolina. His ability garnered the attention of the Cincinnati Reds, who offered him a contract. This opportunity would, however, be halted by an arm injury. Stanley graduated from Saint Augustine’s College in 1985, earning a degree in sociology. Later in life, he pursued golf as a hobby, which he enjoyed immensely until his health declined. Yet, Stan’s giftedness was not confined to the world of sports. A seasoned musician, Stan learned to play the drums at an early age and was a member of the neighborhood band, Migration, as a teenager. Throughout the years, Stan never lost his zeal for playing the drums; he simply changed his audience. Stan was an active member of the praise and worship ministry at his church in Florida and continued his musical prowess by playing to the sound of Jesus. 

Moreover, Stanley’s passion for people ran deep. He relished in the moments shared with family, and his presence was evident. Frequent trips to North Carolina during childhood to visit family were always accompanied by his infectious laugh. He loved driving the tractor on his grandparents’ farm; when he was not helping them, he spent lots of time with other relatives. Cousins loved to see him come because of the enormous fun they had together, and they loved to see him go because of the trouble they found themselves in due to the adventures he led them on. Stan also loved his siblings dearly and took his role as the older sibling to Kenny and Lori particularly seriously. Often sharing advice and wisdom with them, which was later always rooted in God’s Word. Stan also expressed a strong affinity toward all of his in-laws, always referring to them as “Brother,” and “Aunt.” He never used the word “in-law.” Stanley had a special place in his heart for his parents and honored them greatly. A display of that reverence was evident whenever his parents visited him in Florida. Stan always gave up his and his wife’s bed to ensure Mom and Dad had the best place in the house to rest, even throughout his entire illness. 

Stanley supported his family by working as an educator for 18 years in Broward County Public Schools as a social studies and physical education teacher, as well as a softball coach, until his health warranted his early retirement. He supplemented the family income by cleaning carpets during summer visits to Arlington. He had a loyal customer base that looked forward not just to the service he provided, but the fellowship that came along with it. 

Jesus Christ was truly the center of Stanley’s world, and because he understood the urgency of life’s greatest question - “Where will you spend eternity?” - he used every opportunity to bear witness of the sweet saving grace of Jesus Christ to all he encountered. Though Stan had given himself to The Lord at an early age, his transformation and fire for righteousness occurred later in his life. He became a student of The Word. He also became a doer of The Word; putting into daily practice what God requires of us all; to love ye one another. Stan’s demonstration of love was witnessed in how he genuinely cared for one’s soul and his determination to share Christ with others. He loved God’s Word and His commandments. His heart longed for Jesus more each day and he simply wanted others to “taste and see” how good God is and to be saved from sin. Even in his trials and afflictions, Stanley clung to God’s Word and continued to share with all who would listen (and even those who would rather not) about God’s greatest love of us: Jesus Christ.