Alan Duckwall Wilson (1931-2019)
Alan Duckwall Wilson, 87, of Highlands Ranch, Colo., passed away Monday, April 8, 2019 in Mill Vista Lodge at Wind Crest, Highlands Ranch.
He was born July 16, 1931 in Salina, Kan. to Francis Lesher and Vesta Duckwall Wilson. He married Marilyn Metz Wilson who preceded him in death. He then married Dian Heacock Wilson on June 29, 1991 in Breckenridge, Colo. She survives.
Al graduated from Ellsworth High School in 1949. He graduated from Kansas State University in 1953 with a degree in Business Administration. While at KSU, he was in the Air Force ROTC program. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant USAF upon graduation. He received his pilot wings at Laredo AFB. In 1954, after completing Advanced Flying Training at Nellis AFB, he was chosen to be one of the first Air Training Officers (ATO) at the interim site of the US Air Force Academy at Lowry AFB.
In 1957, Al transferred to the Colorado Air National Guard at Buckley AFB and was promoted to Captain while in the Colorado ANG. During the Cuban Missile Crisis he was called back to active duty but was not deployed.
Following his military service, Al worked as a government contract administrator for Martin Marietta in Denver, Emerson Electric in St. Louis, and Computer Sciences Corporation in Falls Church, Va. In 1979, Al realized his life-long dream of owning his own business when he returned to Littleton and purchased Pronto Print in Englewood. He sold the business in 1985 when he retired.
Survivors his wife; children, Wendy Habicht (Hank), Dallas, Texas; Nancy Backes (Richard), Pullman, Wash.; Steve Elder (Jane), Colorado Springs, Colo.; Sam Elder (Julia), Houston, Texas; Scot Elder (Brooke), Dolores, Colo.; and 11 grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Francis and Vesta Wilson; sister, Ann Elizabeth Wilson; and first wife, Marilyn Metz Wilson;
A memorial service is at 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 24, at the St. James Presbyterian Church, Littleton, Colo. Interment will be at the Fort Logan National Cemetery, Denver, Colo.
Memorials may be made to the St. James Presbyterian Church, 3601 W. Belleview Ave., Littleton, Colo. 80123; the Donor Alliance 200 Spruce St., Suite 200, Denver, Colo. 80230; or the Colorado Talking Book Library, 180 Sheridan Blvd., Denver, Colo. 80226.
All Veterans Funeral in Denver, Colo. was in charge of arrangements.
