Melvin Wilson

Biography

Bountiful, Utah. Mel Wilson returned to his Heavenly Father on October 19, 2012, after a valiant battle with pancreatic cancer. He was truly our hero. He was embraced by his loving wife and children in the hours preceding his death.

Mel was born November 14, 1943 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Henry Bytheway Wilson and Wynona Curtis Wilson. He was the fifth of eight children born into a very loving family. His siblings Dennis (Vernetta) Wilson, Dale (Pat) Wilson, Larry (Judy) Wilson, Colleen (Doug) Gordon, Naoma (Karl) McGuire, David (Susie) Wilson and Renee (John) Warner.

Mel married Gay Gunnell in June, 1964 and together they had five beautiful children. Mel married Sue Spooner on May 26, 1979. This marriage blessed Mel with two additional daughters, both of whom he adopted.

Mel’s love for his Father in Heaven and his Savior, shaped his entire life. He served in various church positions and was always an example of being Christlike. Sue and Mel were sealed for time and all eternity on October 23, 1993, demonstrating their undying love and eternal commitment to each other. Mel’s seven children include: Brooke Virginia Wilson, Brad (Jeni) Wilson, Kim (Robert) Brehm, Holly (Matt) Piper, Heidi (Jason) Tarbet, Kate (Craig) Budge and Clark (Shannon) Wilson. His legacy also includes twenty-five grandchildren and one perfect great-grandson.

Mel and Suzy were always very grateful to Mel’s first wife, Gay Gunnell Scharp, for her kindness and love and most importantly for her sharing of the five children from their union.

Mel was a lifelong resident of Davis County and graduated from Davis High School (Go Darts!). In 1967 Mel graduated from the University of Utah with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science and in 1971 he graduated from the University Of Utah School of Law. Mel was admitted to practice law in October, 1971.

Mel was an attorney who served in numerous capacities during his legal career, to include time as a private practice attorney, Clearfield City Prosecutor, Public Defender and Deputy Davis County Prosecutor. Mel’s ambitious nature and desire to protect the public and ensure the rights of crime victims led him to run for public office as the Davis County Attorney, where he was successfully elected in January 1987. He faithfully served in this position for twenty years. During his time as Deputy County Attorney and elected Davis County Attorney, Mel served the citizens of Davis County for thirty years.

Through thirty-five plus years in public service, Mel experienced firsthand the trauma suffered by victims of crime and devoted his life to ensuring people impacted by violent crime had a voice and observable rights within the criminal justice system.

After retiring from the Davis County Attorney’s Office, Mel was appointed by Governor Huntsman to serve as Director for the Office of Crime Victim Reparations. He was influential in passing laws which furthered the services available through the newly reorganized and renamed Utah Office for Victim of Crime. In August, 2012 Mel was presented with the Melvin C. Wilson lifetime achievement award for his services to victims of crime throughout the State of Utah.

Of all Mel’s many accomplishments the love he shared with his beloved wife and the love he felt for each of his children, grandchildren and great grandson meant the most to him.

The family wishes to express gratitude to those who cared for him at Huntsman Cancer Institute and particularly Dr. Chakravarth Reddy, who oversaw treatment during the final days of Mel’s life. The family is also very grateful to Brooke and other staff at Silverado Hospice, who treated our much-loved Mel as though he were a member of their own family.

Thanks to the many friends and neighbors for all the love and service endlessly provided by them. They continue to buoy up Suzy and her family during this very difficult time. There are not words to express the love we have for you.

The viewing will be held at Russon Brothers Mortuary in Bountiful, Utah, located at 295 North Main Street from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Wednesday, October 24, 2012. The funeral will be held at the Woodland Hills Ward Building, 640 South 750 East, Bountiful, Utah on Thursday, October 25, 2012 at 11:00 am, with final greeting with the family from 9:45 am to 10:30 am. Online guest book at www.russonmortuary.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like donations made to America First Credit Union, under the name Melvin C. Wilson Lifetime Achievement Award. This will ensure others who dedicate their lives to serving crime victims, will be recognized for their efforts. This award will be given out annually and administered through the Utah Office for Victims of Crime.

Funeral Service

Thursday October 25, 2012, 11:00 at Woodland Hills Chapel
Click for Map and Directions

The viewing will be held at Russon Brothers Mortuary in Bountiful, Utah, located at 295 North Main Street from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Wednesday, October 24, 2012. The funeral will be held at the Woodland Hills Ward Building, 640 South 750 East, Bountiful, Utah on Thursday, October 25, 2012 at 11:00 am, with final greeting with the family from 9:45 am to 10:30 am.