Obituary of William WILSON

William Robert "Bob" Wilson, age 87, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, July 14th, 2003. Bob was born on August 27th, 1915 in Muncie, Indiana. He was an alumnus of Southeastern Louisiana University.Bob's interest in radio began in Muncie at the tender age of twelve, when he served as a master of ceremonies, vocalizing and playing the violin. By 1937, at the age of 22, he was the "voice of Indiana" and billed as the youngest news commentator on a major broadcast facility in the country. He continued to work in radio for several years in Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Virginia and Pennsylvania.Bob enlisted in the Navy in December of 1941 and was assigned to public relations and was broadcasting once again.During the war he had a program called "Dear Mom" where he would talk to servicemen, read letters to and from home. After being discharged from the Navy he joined the Army Reserve Corp. For the last two years in the Army he served a public relations officer for the 79th (Cross of Lorraine) Division. He was discharged as a Captain.The highlight of his career was as a news correspondent in New York City for NBC TV and Radio, where he worked for 18 years. He was also a correspondent for ABC News for five years doing five or six shows daily and filling in for Paul Harvey whenever necessary.Bob married the love of his life, Ann Schiller, in 1974 and they moved to Lake Havasu City, AZ. They purchased Wally's Walkers family shoe store which they operated for 16 years. In addition, Bob was affiliated with Jay Scavuzzo Real Estate and MCO. He was also the editor of the Sun, a daily newspaper, now Today's News Herald. Bob was also active in the community, serving as chairperson and board member of Havasu Regional Hospital for 6 years, chairperson of Mohave Community College Fdn. (1980-83) chairperson for the American Heart Association (1989), member of Havasu City Transportation Board (1989-95) and longtime member of the London Bridge Rotary Club. Survivors include his devoted wife Ann, son Delph Robert Wilson of Los Angeles, California; stepchildren, Maryanne Shinn of Wethersfield, Connecticut, Carmine Franzese of Bronx, New York, Lorraine Scorsone of Brooklyn, New York and eleven grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at Lietz-Fraze Chapel on Friday, July 18th, 2003 at 6:00 P.M. with Pastor Lan Blairofficiating. The V.F.W. Post #9401 will also hold full military honorsThe family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the many people who helped take such good care of Bob during the last six years, especially Karen and Sam May and Dr. Kazmi. Also special thanks to Hospice of Havasu and Home Health Care.Memorial donations can be made in his name to Hospice of Havasu, P.O. Box 597, Lake Havasu City, Az. 86405Arrangements were entrusted by Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home