Walter 'Walt' C. Wilson

A memorial service for Walter "Walt" C. Wilson, 97, a resident of Reno, will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Walton's Sierra Chapel, 875 W. Second St., Reno.

Mr. Wilson died Jan. 4, 2006, at St. Mary's Regional Medical Center. He was born Nov. 22, 1908, in Tonopah, to William Cal and Mattie Gish Wilson.

He received his bachelor of arts degree, his master's degree, and his Ph.D. from the University of Nevada, and a degree in economics from Clark University in Worcester, Mass.

He was a teacher at the University of Delaware, Colby College in Maine and the Teachers College in Connecticut, where he also served as the university registrar. He was also an economics professor at the University of Nevada, Reno.

He served as manager of Road Life Studies for the Nevada Highway Department; the executive secretary for the Nevada Gaming Commission; first director of the Nevada Department of Commerce; branch manager for Union Federal Savings and Loan; senior economist for the Nevada Bank of Commerce; insurance agent for Occidental Life; and as a member of the Reno Planning Commission and the Reno City Council. He was a speech writer for Gov. Grant Sawyer and chairman of Gov. Charles Russell's Group Insurance Committee.

He published a book about Washoe Indians and their Importance to Nevada, titled "The Oneness Trail." He also published several magazine articles and special reports.

He was the chairman of the Ormsby County Bond Program, scoutmaster of Rotary Troop 33, president of the Carson City Chamber of Commerce, and a longtime member of the Carson Rotary Club.

He enjoyed chess, geology, working out, traveling and spending time with his large family.

He was preceded in death by wives Dorcas Wilson and Helen Wilson.

Among his survivors are wife Shirley Heany Wilson; daughters and sons-in-law Cindy and Bob Byington and Devon and Rob Parke; son and daughter-in-law Calvin P. and Sue Wilson; sister Alma Wilson Barry; eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association.

Walton's Sierra Chapel is in charge of arrangements.