Obituary for Howard Winters Wilson
CMSgt Howard Winters Wilson, 74, died peacefully at home surrounded by family August 23, 2022. He was born November 14, 1947, in Montgomery, Alabama, the son of Sam Bartley Wilson Jr. and Jane Margaret Smith Wilson.
Howard graduated Lanier High School, Class of 1966 Montgomery, Alabama. He then went on to attend The University of Alabama – Tuscaloosa. Here he joined Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity – Alabama Mu Chapter. Howard joined the United States Air Force in 1969 and proudly served 33 years. Early in his career he served with the 919th Special Operations Group – Eglin Air Force Base (Duke Field), Florida; AC-130A Spectre Gunship. He is most proud of his involvement with the 403rd Wing at Keesler Air Force Base where he and his peers earned countless Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards 1993-2005 for their continuous success and courage in Rescue and Weather Reconnaissance missions; and the 815th Airlift Squadron “Flying Jennies” where he deployed worldwide to assist in relief and humanitarian efforts in Europe, South America, the Middle East, and Asia. In 1986, Master Sergeant Howard W. Wilson received The Air Medal for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Flight Engineer, 815th Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, 403rd Rescue and Weather Reconnaissance Wing, Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi where he participated in several aerial penetrations of named hurricanes in both 1984 and 1985. He was awarded The Air Force Achievement Medal in 1986 for outstanding commitment and sacrifice to the Air Force Reserve. In 1998, he earned the esteemed rank of Chief Master Sergeant in the Air Force. He continued his legacy with the Air Force Reserve Command until June 2007 when Howard, having served faithfully and honorably retired from the United States Air Force. In 2008, he joined the NASA Test Operations Group at Stennis Space Center where he received recognition for his work in Operational Safety Management and the Achievement for Excellence in support of the Space Shuttle Program in 2010.
Howard married Elizabeth “Betsy” Ebersole Wilson on April 23, 1983, in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. They settled on the Mississippi Gulf Coast in May 1984. They were happily married for 39 years.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a brother, William “Billy” Lowery Wilson of Montgomery, Alabama. Surviving in addition to his wife Betsy, his daughter Amy Elizabeth Wilson Lancaster and husband Josh of Ocean Springs, Mississippi; step-mother, Joan Wilson of Montgomery, Alabama; siblings, Bart Wilson and wife Brenda of Columbus, Georgia, Robert Wilson and Frances Wilson both of Montgomery, Alabama; nieces and nephews, Brittany Wilson, Logan Wilson and wife Devyn of Columbus, Georgia; Zachary Wilson and wife Lindsi of Wahiawa, Hawaii, and Bartley Wilson IV and wife Cherry of New Orleans, Louisiana.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, August 27th, 2022, at First Baptist Church of Biloxi, 1560 Popps Ferry Road. Those who wish to remember Howard in a special way may make gifts in his memory to Gulf Coast Community Ministries 3916 15th Street, Gulfport, Mississippi 39503 or online at gulfcoastministry.org. Arrangements by Southern Mississippi Funeral Services.
Isaiah 40:31 NIV: “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint”.
Howard graduated Lanier High School, Class of 1966 Montgomery, Alabama. He then went on to attend The University of Alabama – Tuscaloosa. Here he joined Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity – Alabama Mu Chapter. Howard joined the United States Air Force in 1969 and proudly served 33 years. Early in his career he served with the 919th Special Operations Group – Eglin Air Force Base (Duke Field), Florida; AC-130A Spectre Gunship. He is most proud of his involvement with the 403rd Wing at Keesler Air Force Base where he and his peers earned countless Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards 1993-2005 for their continuous success and courage in Rescue and Weather Reconnaissance missions; and the 815th Airlift Squadron “Flying Jennies” where he deployed worldwide to assist in relief and humanitarian efforts in Europe, South America, the Middle East, and Asia. In 1986, Master Sergeant Howard W. Wilson received The Air Medal for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Flight Engineer, 815th Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, 403rd Rescue and Weather Reconnaissance Wing, Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi where he participated in several aerial penetrations of named hurricanes in both 1984 and 1985. He was awarded The Air Force Achievement Medal in 1986 for outstanding commitment and sacrifice to the Air Force Reserve. In 1998, he earned the esteemed rank of Chief Master Sergeant in the Air Force. He continued his legacy with the Air Force Reserve Command until June 2007 when Howard, having served faithfully and honorably retired from the United States Air Force. In 2008, he joined the NASA Test Operations Group at Stennis Space Center where he received recognition for his work in Operational Safety Management and the Achievement for Excellence in support of the Space Shuttle Program in 2010.
Howard married Elizabeth “Betsy” Ebersole Wilson on April 23, 1983, in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. They settled on the Mississippi Gulf Coast in May 1984. They were happily married for 39 years.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a brother, William “Billy” Lowery Wilson of Montgomery, Alabama. Surviving in addition to his wife Betsy, his daughter Amy Elizabeth Wilson Lancaster and husband Josh of Ocean Springs, Mississippi; step-mother, Joan Wilson of Montgomery, Alabama; siblings, Bart Wilson and wife Brenda of Columbus, Georgia, Robert Wilson and Frances Wilson both of Montgomery, Alabama; nieces and nephews, Brittany Wilson, Logan Wilson and wife Devyn of Columbus, Georgia; Zachary Wilson and wife Lindsi of Wahiawa, Hawaii, and Bartley Wilson IV and wife Cherry of New Orleans, Louisiana.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, August 27th, 2022, at First Baptist Church of Biloxi, 1560 Popps Ferry Road. Those who wish to remember Howard in a special way may make gifts in his memory to Gulf Coast Community Ministries 3916 15th Street, Gulfport, Mississippi 39503 or online at gulfcoastministry.org. Arrangements by Southern Mississippi Funeral Services.
Isaiah 40:31 NIV: “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint”.