Calvin Henry Wilson reached for the hand of his beloved wife, Phyllis, and entered into eternal life on October 18, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family.
Born on February 8, 1948, in Wild Rose, Wisconsin, to Henry and Mary Lou (Martindale) Wilson, Cal was the youngest of five siblings: Mike Wilson, Brian Wilson, Darrel Wilson, and Brenda Arellano. On December 29, 1968, in the midst of a Wisconsin blizzard, he married Phyllis, the love of his life. Together, they built a lifetime of memories, laughter, adventures, and a family that was his greatest pride. He was preceded in death by his parents, Phyllis, Darrel, Brenda, multiple sister and brothers in law and grand-daughter Julia.
Cal was a treasured dad to Dina (Barry) Roseland and Tony (Lynn) Wilson, and a forever-jokester grandpa to Mitchell (Miah) Wilson, Spencer Wilson, Madelynn Roseland, and Julia Babino. He was also the “old” Grandpa/Papa to Emerson, Noah, and Myles Calvin, who added another special chapter to his legacy. Whether sharing a joke, telling a story, or enjoying time together, Cal had a way of making family gatherings memorable. His love for his family will live on through the stories they share, the traditions they carry forward, and the laughter that will forever remind them of him.
After graduating from high school in 1966, Cal proudly entered the United States Marine Corps where he served his country during the Vietnam War from 1966 – 1967 before sustaining wounds during his service. His commitment to serving others did not end when his active military service did. It became a defining part of the life he lived. Cal dedicated more than 25 years to working at the Wisconsin Veterans Home at King, where he brought his humor and personality to every corner of the campus—from the kitchen and maintenance to the everyday conversations he shared with fellow veterans. He understood the importance of camaraderie and the bonds formed through shared experiences, and he had a special gift for bringing laughter to those around him.
Cal’s dedication to his fellow veterans continued through his active membership and leadership with the Wild Rose American Legion Daniel Dopp Post 370, where he held several leadership positions, including Commander. He took great pride in honoring those who served and was especially proud of the effort to bring a Vietnam-era helicopter to Wild Rose as a lasting tribute to the men and women of the United States Armed Forces.
Cal’s service was more than a chapter in his life; it was a reflection of who he was. He remained committed to his fellow veterans, his community, and the values of service and camaraderie throughout his life.
Cal shared a deep love of sports handed down from his parents and siblings. Cal & Phyll, along with the Lewallen and Deist families helped spearhead the Wild Rose Wrestling Club, creating something that became much more than a wrestling program. For countless young people, the club became a family—a place to build confidence, learn discipline, understand the value of hard work and determination, and discover what they were capable of achieving.
To this day, many former wrestlers still call him “Coach” and share their appreciation for the impact he had on their lives. And, of course, being part of the team came with a few other life lessons—like learning how to play cards and gamble in the back of a school bus on the way to and from wrestling meets! His influence extended far beyond the wrestling mat, leaving a lasting mark on generations of athletes who were fortunate enough to call him Coach.
Cal was an avid hunter who treasured the outdoors and the traditions that came with it. Each year brought the familiar, relentless pursuit of the big “turdy point” buck, along with stories that seemed to get bigger and bigger and memories his family will always cherish. But hunting was about more than the harvest; it was about time spent outdoors, shared experiences, and a passion that Cal proudly passed down through his family and hunting club.
Retirement gave Cal and Phyllis more time to enjoy two of their favorite things: spending time with family and great friends, and chasing the flashing lights of video gambling machines. Their adventures often came with a healthy dose of competition, and when Phyllis came out ahead while Cal did not, there was always a perfectly reasonable explanation.
The Wilson card nights brought their own share of entertainment. There were plenty of smiles, plenty of laughter, some swearing and, inevitably, a few empty change jars by the end of the evening. These simple traditions created treasured memories that we will carry in our hearts forever.
Though Cal has taken his final journey, the stories will continue, the cards will still be dealt, the sassiness and BS-ing will go on, and his family will find ways to laugh through the tears—just as he would have wanted.
He will be deeply missed and forever loved.
The Funeral Service to honor Cal’s life will be held on Friday, October 23, 2026, at 11 a.m. at West Holden Lutheran Church. Visitation and an opportunity to share stories and memories will take place from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.
Memorial Contributions In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the organizations that meant so much to Cal.
American Legion Daniel Dopp Post 370 Memorial Fund
Cash or check donations may be mailed to:
P.O. Box 38
Wild Rose, WI 54984
The Lost Companion — Saxeville, Wisconsin
Donations may be mailed to:
P.O. Box 282
Wild Rose, WI 54984
