John Wilson Obituary

John (Jack) Wilson, 83, of Hot Springs Village, Arkansas, passed away peacefully in the arms of his loving wife on February 23, 2026.

Jack was born in Wales, Wisconsin. He joined the U.S. Marine Corp upon graduation from high school and served as a jet mechanic on the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Independence in the Mediterranean Sea.

Jack worked his entire career at RTE Corporation (later Cooper Power Systems) for over 38 years.

Jack was a natural athlete. As a junior in 1960, he became the first Waukesha wrestler ever to advance to the WIAA state tournament. He placed 1st in the 1961 Suburban Wrestling Tournament in weight class 103 pounds. He was pitcher and manager (nicknamed "rabbit") for the RTE softball team that went to the State and World softball championships several times. He was an avid golfer (he had four hole in ones) and eventually met his wife Jane on the golf course. They were married in 1987.

Jack volunteered for over 20 years at Mt. Carmel Nursing Home in Wisconsin. He also volunteered for the Xaverian Missionaries for many years renovating and upgrading their mission facility. The Xaverian priests were family to Jack.

Jack retired in 2003. He and his wife moved to Hot Springs Village in 2015. However, they first discovered HSV in 1987 and owned a vacation home in the village for over twenty years while living in Wisconsin. It was golf that attracted Jack to the village.

Jack was a member of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church Men's Club and was also a 4th Degree Knight. He was also a devoted altar server at Sacred Heart.

He served on the VCA Board for many years in Hot Springs Village. He loved working with the performers and offering a great experience for the concert attendees,

Jack loved golfing with and teasing the guys in his close-knit neighborhood group. Jack enjoyed many wonderful trips with his wife, with his favorite trips being the river cruise on the Rhine and Moselle and the Mediterranean cruise. Jack enjoyed cooking, so he provided excellent meals for his wife for over 38 years.

Jack's personality and clever wit drew people to him. He loved helping people.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Doris Wilson and his brother Bobby Wilson. He is survived by his loving wife, Jane, of 38 years, his sister Sandi Vanderhei (husband Bob), his children Angie Wilson- Zunker, Craig Wilson (wife Lori), and Tanya Coppersmith (husband John) and grandchildren Cari Wilson, Megan Zunker, Amanda Wilson, Zoey Zunker and Jack Wilson as well as sisters-in-law Brenda James and Susan Ruetz and mother-in-law Joyce Ruetz, nieces, nephews and cousin, Chuck (Connie) Ellis.

Donations in memory of Jack can be made to Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Hot Springs Village.

The visitation and funeral service will be held at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Hot Springs Village on March 5 at 11 a.m. with visitation preceding the funeral service.

A celebration of life will be held in Wisconsin at a later date.

Online condolences at www.caruth-hale.com