Peter Wilson

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We are saddened by the sudden loss of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, LTC Peter Kendal Wilson on April 19, 2020, age 72, who passed away at home.

Peter was born in Horden, County Durham, England on September 26, 1947 to Olga Bevan and William Kendal Wilson and was welcomed by his sister Barbara. When he was 6, his family boarded the Empress of Scotland ship and moved to Canada where he spent time in Toronto and Tillsonburg. He loved his years in Canada and spent a lot of time swimming, fishing, playing hockey and working odd jobs. When he was 12, his family took a long road trip and moved to Santa Barbara, California where he quickly became a surf bum. His family joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and moved to Orem, Utah when he was 16. He was an Orem Tiger, loved playing football, and became a US citizen.

Although he was born across the pond, he loved the United States of America. When he graduated, he spent a year at Utah State and then worked in Moab, Utah with the Land Bureau. God interrupted Pete’s plans with a call to serve as a missionary in the British mission. He loved his mission and serving the people. One of his greatest blessings as a missionary was meeting his future bride, Vanessa Lee. When he finished his mission, he came back to England and married his Angel in the London Temple and brought her to America.

His draft number was 18 so he signed up for the National Guard which turned into a 31-year adventure of a lifetime that took him throughout the United States and many parts of the world. He earned the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and many honorable decorations. His favorite part was taking officials on helicopter tours all over the state of Utah. What brought him even more joy was his 6 children, foster children, grandchildren, and great grandchild. He was always up for a tickle fight or a horse ride. He enjoyed gardening, running, biking, hiking, and family road trips. He loved the gospel of Jesus Christ and served many years as a teacher of the youth and primary. He was selfless, kind, funny, loyal, loving, honorable, ticklish, and smart. He loved learning and spent time at BYU as well as finished many continuing education courses with the military and online. He taught classes for the National Guard throughout the United States. He loved God and his country. He wasn’t born in the USA, but he loved her and served her well. He always made sacrifices for his family and put others before himself.

He is survived by his wife Vanessa, his daughters Kate (Darren) Cram, Becky (Aaron) Opp, Beth (Matt) McIntire and Christina (Kade) Opfar, his sons Ken (Alisa) Wilson and Byron Wilson, his 22 grandchildren, 1 great grandchild and his sister Barbara. He was preceded in death by his parents Olga and Bill Wilson, his in-laws Francis and Vera Lee and his grandson Caiden Wilson.

A Covid-19 compliant viewing will be held at Nelson Mortuary in Provo at 4780 N. University Ave. on Friday, April 24th from 5:00pm to 8:00pm. A funeral will be held for immediate family only but will be broadcast live on Saturday, April 25th at 11:00am.