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Charlie Wilson

WILSON, “Charlie,” Charles A. Wilson Jr., 70, of East Lawn, St. Clairsville, Ohio, formerly of Bridgeport, Ohio, passed Sunday, April 14, 2013, in Bethesda Memorial Hospital, Florida.

He was born in Martins Ferry on January 18, 1943, the son of the late Charles A. Wilson Sr. and Kathleen Foster Wilson.

Charlie graduated from Dillonvale High School Class of 1960. He continued his education at Ohio University Belmont and Athens earning a Bachelor of Arts degree. He was a graduate of the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science 1967. Wilson joined the Wilson Funeral and Furniture Co. as the 4th generation of the Wilson Family in 1967.

He strongly believed in giving back to his community, actively serving on Eastern Ohio Regional Hospital board for 25 years, Belmont Improvement Corporation; Bridgeport Chamber of Commerce, Bridgeport Rotary, and Belmont National Bank for 30 years. He served as president of the Ohio Funeral Directors Association and president of Ohio Home Furniture Dealers Association.

In 1995 he pursued his career in public service, being elected to Ohio House of Representatives where he served as Minority Whip and Assistant Minority Leader. Wilson was elected to the Ohio Senate in 2004, in 2006 went on to be elected to United States Congress, with 66 percent of “write-in election”, a record that still stands in Congress. While in congress, Wilson was elected and served as Regional Whip for Ohio, PA. and W.Va.

Charlie is survived by Angela Hatfield, the love of his life and best friend forever; four sons, Robert “Bob” (Tammy) Wilson of Manchester, TN., Brad (Cathy) Wilson of Hilton Head Island, SC., Jason (Leah) Wilson of Columbiana, OH., Jarrett (Jill) Wilson of Reynoldsburg, OH.; a sister, Rebeka (Clete) Schindler of Liberty Center, OH.; nine wonderful grandchildren; seven granddaughters, Justine, Carley, Sidney, Ava, Maria, Abbie, Katie and two grandsons, Tanner and JJ.

Friends will be received Saturday from 2-8 p.m. and also on Sunday April 21, from 4-8 p.m. with a vigil service at 4 p.m. at Bridgeport School District Auditorium, 55707 Industrial Dr., Bridgeport, Ohio 43912.

Friends are then invited to attend visitation on Monday from 9:30 a.m. until time of funeral Liturgy with Mass at 10 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 226 W. Main St., St. Clairsville, Ohio, with Rev. Thomas Chillog as celebrant.

Private interment will be at Union Cemetery, St. Clairsville.

Arrangements by Wilson Funeral Home, 920 National Road, Brookside, Ohio.

Offer online condolences to the family and view his memorial video tribute at www.wilsonfuneralhomes. com.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Congressman Charlie Wilson Leadership Program, c/o Ohio University Eastern, Dean’s Office, 45425 National Road W., St. Clairsville, OH 43950.