Obituary of Robert Dale Wilson

ROBERT DALE WILSON “RD” 

Robert Dale Wilson of Mesa AZ passed away on February 3, 2023, at the Apache Junction Health Center. RD was 89 years old. He always preferred to be called RD.  RD was born May 18, 1933, in Bloomfield Missouri to mother Emmer Steward and father Earl Wilson and was raised on a farm with 5 brothers and 4 sisters.  RD enlisted in the United States Navy in 1952 during the Korean war and was discharged in 1956 having earned a good conduct medal.  RD worked his career as a mechanic on heavy equipment, parts counter, equipment delivery for companies Empire Machinery, Caterpillar and retired from Bingham Equipment.  In 1960 RD married Edna Sue Bishop and they had 3 children, Linda, Dale and Wayne. In 1984 RD married Joan Beverly Sumpter and became stepfather to Richard, Kit and Sheryl.  RD loved golf, bowling, fishing, hunting, camping, and later learned to play the left-handed guitar. He and Joan attended many jamming sessions with their friends.  They enjoyed a summer home in Heber AZ for many years.  RD was preceded in death by father and mother, brothers Elmer, Oshall, Harold, and Amos Wilson; sisters Veda Wilson and Elizabeth Cassoutt; wife Joan Wilson and stepson Kit Sumpter.  RD is survived by brother David Wilson, and sisters Sara Williams and Betty Howard; Children: Linda Steinbrenner, Yvonne Varga, Sherry Villarreal, Dale Wilson (JoAnna) and Wayne Wilson (Kim);  Grandchildren: Charlie, Heather, Stacy, Kayla, Devyn, Matthew, Dani;  Great grandchildren: Cameron, Jayden Charli, Olivia, Diesel and Remi;  Stepchildren: Richard Sumpter (Carol) and Sheryl Szakin (Eugene);  Step grandchildren: Christopher Sumpter (Tiffany), Christina Cox (James), Matthew Sumpter (Sarah), Shane Sumpter and Luke Sumpter (Gabby);  Step great grandchildren: Courtney (Jayce), James, Elijah, Joel, Isabella, Logan, Violet, Brandon, Aliza, Faith, Caelyn and Harper.

Funeral services will be held at Legacy Funeral Home, Rose Chapel, 1130 S. Horne St. Mesa AZ 85204. Visitation February 21, 2023, at 9:30am followed by funeral service at 10:30am, Pastor Mike Cash of East Valley Baptist Church will be officiating. Burial will be at 1:00pm at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Cave Creek AZ. 

Donations may be given in Robert’s honor to Hospice of the Valley www.hov.org/donate or by mail to Hospice of the Valley 1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix, AZ 85014.