Floyd Dillard Wilson's Obituary
Floyd Dillard Wilson passed away peacefully at his home in Milwaukie surrounded by his family on Sunday November 9, 2014. He was 91 years old.Floyd was born on May 21, 1923 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to Andrew Dillard Wilson and Susie Victoria Barns.He grew up in Oklahoma with his 4 brothers and 3 sisters. The oldest of the 5 brothers Floyd learned early on the strength of family. Sadly he also learned early what heartbreak was when the family lost his sister Katheryn at the age of 4.Floyd attended school in Oklahoma but because of the great depression and family demands he only finished the 8th grade. It was because he only was able to finish the 8th grade he instilled in all of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren the importance of an education. Floyd was never afraid of hard work and was the first to jump in when he saw something that needed to be done. It was during his early teens he and his family went to work for a watermelon farmer. It was also here he would meet the love of his life Esther (the watermelon farmer's only child).On January 10, 1943 Esther being just 16 and he 19 were married in Oklahoma City. Just a month later his US Air Force unit was deployed to Tinian in the Mariana Islands. During his time in the Air Force, Floyd learned to operate a forklift and heavy machinery to fill the potholes left from the airplanes landing and taking off. He was in charge of keeping the airstrip clean and clear. In August of 1945 Floyd was present when a Silver-plate Boeing B-29 showed up on Tinian. That plane carried a bomb he knew and called little boy. Little boy was dropped on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. The dropping of that bomb had a lasting effect on Floyd.After returning from the war in 1946, Floyd went to work for Tyler and Simpson in Oklahoma City as a delivery and "everything under the sun" person. The days were very long and took their toll on Floyd.In May of 1946 Floyd and Esther welcomed their first of 3 children. Esther Lucille Wilson (Hopkins). Four years later Floyd Wayne Wilson and three years later Charles Lynn Wilson.Working for Tyler and Simpson began to take a toll on Floyd and his family. Long hours and the growing demands of raising 3 children made him want to find something better for his family.At the urging of his brothers who had found new opportunities in Oregon, Floyd and Esther loaded their old ford station wagon and took their family on a vacation to Oregon. Floyd often told the family when he arrived in Oregon he felt as if he had entered God's country. He fell in love instantly with the beauty of the land.In 1959 Floyd moved his family to Oregon and shortly after arriving; he landed a job with Hudson House where he remained until 1973 when Hudson House closed. During that same year, Floyd accepted a position with Safeway and remained employed there until his retirement in 1984.After retirement, Floyd began working in his garage on what he referred to as "Whirly Bird Spinners." Floyd decided to take his creation to the Saturday Market and found huge success in his small business venture. His booth at Saturday Market became a staple and many people would return from year to year to visit with him. In 1998 Floyd decided it was time to officially retire and Papa's Whirly Bird Spinners was closed for good. Today his spinners can be seen all over the Portland/Metropolitan area and have traveled as far as Europe.Floyd loved to travel and looked forward visiting the Oregon Coast, Reno and always to see his brothers and sisters in Texas and Oklahoma.Floyd is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Esther Wilson, sisters Vivian, Virgie and Katheryn and brother Gene.Floyd is survived by his three children, Lucille Hopkins (Bud Hopkins), Wayne Wilson (Sharon Wilson) and Charles Wilson (close friend Alice). 7 Grand Children: Tammie Moore (Cory), Kimberly Moon (Jason), Michele Hall (A.J ), Westly Wilson (Christine ), Katie Fray (Lyle), Carrie Wilson and Tonya Wilson. 11 great grandchildren. Brothers, Lee Ray Wilson (Jan Wilson) Forest Grove, Sam Wilson (Irving, Texas) and Kenneth Wilson (Doris Wilson) Irving Texas.The family would like to thank Adventist Hospice for all of their love and devotion they gave to Floyd in this last year. A special thank you to Jamie and Desire.A memorial and funeral service will be held on Tuesday November 18th, 2014 at Prince of Life Lutheran Church in Oregon City at 11am. A graveside and final internment will be at Mt. View Cemetery in Oregon City.
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