Weldon 'Dean' Wilson

Weldon “Dean” Wilson, 90, passed away at home Sunday, March 29, 2026, while under hospice care and surrounded with love from his family and friends. The complications of COPD and a basilar artery stroke were too much for him to overcome. He was born at home on the family farm on Alpowa Creek near Silcott, Wash., Dec. 7, 1935, to Eugene Lee Wilson and Doris Ruth Mallory. He attended school in Clarkston until age 15, worked for McCann Farms until the end of summer in 1951, then enrolled in Spokane A&E Technical School to get his airplane and engine repair licenses.

From the time he was 3 years old, he was totally enthralled with everything about airplanes and started flying lessons at age 13. He worked as a charter pilot; crop sprayer; airplane builder; repairman; restoring antiques; designing, engineering and modifying airplanes; and manufacturing kit planes and special purpose airplanes, flight instruction, sailplanes, etc. Dean test flew all his airplane designs and airplanes he modified. He received three Hall of Fame awards for EAA Aircraft Homebuilders, Idaho Aviation and National Agricultural Aviation.

Dean moved his crop spraying business to Homedale, Idaho, about 1963 where he met his wife, Roselyn Metcalf. They were married in Winnemucca, Nev., on May 28, 1966. She was the love of his life and worked side by side with him in whatever work he was doing. His dad taught him carpentry, fishing and a love of music. Some of his other interests, besides love of family, were reading, especially Mark Twain writings and Robert Service poetry, geology, music and telling jokes. He had many talents and shared his knowledge with whoever asked.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Roselyn; two children, Karen Wilson (Harry Singh) and Michael Wilson (Tiffany Lundeen); one adorable granddaughter, Elizabeth “Lizzie” Wilson; and his brother, Lafe Wilson, of Clarkston. Preceding him in death were his parents; his sons, Eugene and Dean Jr. and daughter, Dorothy Lynn Wilson, from a previous marriage; also, his sisters Gena Kurth and Eva Lynn Thompson; and a brother, Joe Wilson.

Cremation has taken place. A celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 1, at the EAA Hangar, 270 O’Connor Road, Lewiston.

In lieu of flowers, family suggests donations to the Eagles and/or Young Eagles, EAA Chapter 328, Lewiston.