Dr. Merrill Allen Wilson
Dr. Merrill Allen Wilson, 91, passed away in Sun City Center, Fla., November 18, 2015. He was preceded in death by his parents, A. Thurman and Fern Z. Wilson, and his brother, Donald K. Wilson.
He is survived by his wife Charleen Symmonds Wilson of Sun City Center; daughter Elizabeth (Brian) McCaskey of Pioneer, Ohio; son Bruce (Nancy Linnerooth) Wilson of Seattle, Wash.; and grandchildren Kaylee McCaskey and Alayna Wilson.
Merrill was born in Fort Pierce, Fla., July 4, 1924. A World War II veteran of the Army Air Force, he earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Music from the University of Michigan; a Bachelor’s of Arts from Columbia University; a Certificate from Julliard School of Music; and a D.D.S. from the University of Michigan.
While in New York City, he was a regular substitute French horn player with the New York Philharmonic, the New York City Center Opera, and played and recorded with the New Art Woodwind Quintet.
While living in Philadelphia, he taught high school band and orchestra, played in the Frankfort and Germantown Symphony Orchestras, and in the Philadelphia Symphony Club. He taught music at Drake University in Des Moines, and was principal horn in the Des Moines Symphony.
He practiced dentistry in Ann Arbor, Mich.; taught part time at the University of Michigan Dental School; played in the Plymouth Symphony for over 25 years; and in the Ann Arbor Civic Band.
In Sun City Center, Merrill was active in the Tennis Club. He played French horn in the Sarasota Pops Orchestra for 18 years, the Sarasota Concert Band, Windjammers, and was a soloist at several local churches.
Merrill was a lifelong learner. He enjoyed reading, researching new topics and ideas, and could talk with anyone about anything. He loved to practice his horn, exercised daily, enjoyed photography, and had a lifelong passion for fishing. Gentle in spirit, soft-spoken and kind, an ever-polite Southern Gentlemen, he was beloved by all who knew him.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at the United Methodist Church of Sun City Center on December 4 at 10:30 a.m., with Rev. Julian Graham officiating. Interment will be held in Ann Arbor, Mich., at a later date.
He is survived by his wife Charleen Symmonds Wilson of Sun City Center; daughter Elizabeth (Brian) McCaskey of Pioneer, Ohio; son Bruce (Nancy Linnerooth) Wilson of Seattle, Wash.; and grandchildren Kaylee McCaskey and Alayna Wilson.
Merrill was born in Fort Pierce, Fla., July 4, 1924. A World War II veteran of the Army Air Force, he earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Music from the University of Michigan; a Bachelor’s of Arts from Columbia University; a Certificate from Julliard School of Music; and a D.D.S. from the University of Michigan.
While in New York City, he was a regular substitute French horn player with the New York Philharmonic, the New York City Center Opera, and played and recorded with the New Art Woodwind Quintet.
While living in Philadelphia, he taught high school band and orchestra, played in the Frankfort and Germantown Symphony Orchestras, and in the Philadelphia Symphony Club. He taught music at Drake University in Des Moines, and was principal horn in the Des Moines Symphony.
He practiced dentistry in Ann Arbor, Mich.; taught part time at the University of Michigan Dental School; played in the Plymouth Symphony for over 25 years; and in the Ann Arbor Civic Band.
In Sun City Center, Merrill was active in the Tennis Club. He played French horn in the Sarasota Pops Orchestra for 18 years, the Sarasota Concert Band, Windjammers, and was a soloist at several local churches.
Merrill was a lifelong learner. He enjoyed reading, researching new topics and ideas, and could talk with anyone about anything. He loved to practice his horn, exercised daily, enjoyed photography, and had a lifelong passion for fishing. Gentle in spirit, soft-spoken and kind, an ever-polite Southern Gentlemen, he was beloved by all who knew him.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at the United Methodist Church of Sun City Center on December 4 at 10:30 a.m., with Rev. Julian Graham officiating. Interment will be held in Ann Arbor, Mich., at a later date.