Ed “Babe” Wilson, 81, of Columbia, TN, died peacefully in his sleep on August 21, 2024. He was born in Memphis, TN, as Eddie Harrold Wilson, on January 25, 1943, to the late Victor Everette Wilson and Elvie Powell Wilson.
Ed graduated from Millington TN Central High School and earned a Mathematics degree from Christian Brothers College, now University, which won him a position as a rocket scientist for NASA, where he designed telemetry for Apollo moon launches. His children were born during this career and during his marriage to Eileen Herring Wilson.
Subsequently, Ed earned a master’s degree in computer science from the University of Memphis and served as computer center director, faculty member or consultant for several institutions including Christian Brothers University, Arizona State University, University of Arizona and Columbia State Community College.
Ed loved music. His older sisters, Dorothy Christian and Grace Ehlinger, were accomplished musicians and taught a very young “Babe” to play the piano. From age 5 to 12, the “Boogie Woogie” was his favorite composition to perform. Ed continued to study guitar with his friend and teacher Matt Heldman until his death. Ed was also a good friend. The list is too long to enumerate, but you know who you are. He was loved and will be missed by all who knew him.
In addition to his parents, sisters and their husbands, he was predeceased by his nephew, Dan Christian. Ed is survived by Kathie Wessels Wilson, his wife of more than 50 years, daughter, Alexis Wilson; son, Jason Wilson; grandson, Nolan Wilson; nieces, Keeli (Craig) Brent, Kelly (David) Hanneken; nephews, Kurt (Sindhu) Wessels, Eric Christian, Jay (Caroline) Ehlinger; and great nephew Niam Wessels.
A celebration of life will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 27, followed by a fellowship meal at the church. The family will visit with friends at the church from 3:30 until the service.
