Death of Paul F. Wilson, Former Missionary to the Philippines

January 22, 1935 - October 5, 2010

Paul F. Wilson of Daphne, Alabama, passed away peacefully in his sleep on October 5, 2010. An ordained minister of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), he served as a pastor for churches in Tennessee and Louisiana before beginning his extensive career in ecumenical programs for social justice and human rights. Paul was born in Benton Harbor, Michigan, January 22, 1935, was reared in Kansas City, Missouri, and graduated with a B.A. degree in 1957 from Tulane University, and a B.D. degree in 1960 from Lexington Theological Seminary.

He directed Migrant Ministries programs in Louisiana and Florida; and, in 1973, served for ten months as overseas staff of the Division of Overseas Ministries as staff for the National Council of Churches working for agricultural community development in the Philippines before imprisonment and ouster by the Marcos government. He then established the International Human Rights Program with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Indianapolis in 1974.

In 1991 Paul moved to New York to direct the Human Rights Program for the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA (NCCCUSA), later becoming Director of the NCCCUSA Europe Office. In this capacity he focused on humanitarian assistance in the war-torn areas of Eastern Europe, and served as moderator of the Churches Human Rights Programme for the Implementation of the Helsinki Final Act (Europe/USSR/Canada/USA); and, subsequently, the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe.

Since Paul's retirement in Daphne, he had the opportunity to pursue his love for tennis and music. He was very active in tennis clubs and won Adult and Senior Championships in tournaments in Orange Beach, Destin, Florida, and the Alabama State Masters Games. Paul was a talented tenor, singing in Musica Sacra in Mobile and soloing with the Baldwin Pops. He is survived by his wife, Dede Wilson; his children, Michelle Athearn, David Wilson, and James Wilson; five grandchildren; his brother and two sisters; along with family and friends from this area and around the world. There was a Celebration of the Life of Paul Wilson for all his friends and family on October 10. Donations in lieu of flowers may be sent to Musica Sacra, 7231 Carson Rd South, Mobile, AL 36695, to Park Avenue Christian Church, 1010 Park Ave., New York, NY 10028 or Central Christian Church, 701 N. Delaware, Indianapolis, IN 46204.

Notes of condolence may be sent to his wife, Dede, at 905 Van Avenue, Daphne, AL 38526.