Arthur Gene Wilson, 67, Sturgis, joined our Heavenly Father June 25, 2008, at home with his family after waging a courageous battle against lung cancer.

Arthur was born on November 26, 1941, on his parents' farm, south of Ree Heights, SD, to James and Corlena (Van Den Berg) Wilson. The family left the farm when he was six years old, but he spent time helping on his uncle, Harry Wilson, and great-uncle, Arie DeGest, farms.

He enlisted in the US Navy on March 28, 1961. He graduated with honors with I. C. Electricians, Class A, on October 6, 1961. He served on the Aircraft Carrier, USS Forrestal. He received his honorable discharge on July 15, 1964.

Arthur was united in marriage to Bonnie Kopecky on July 31, 1965, and to this union, five children were born.

He began his working career in 1955 at the local grocery store as a butcher's helper. His working experiences took him to Nebraska, Minnesota, South Dakota, and Wyoming. In 1974, they purchased the Phillip processing plant. In 1977, he worked as an Electrical Engineer at Wyodak in Gillette, WY. In 1980, they owned and operated a logging business. After being injured in a logging accident in 1981, the family then started the S & W Bait business in 1983, which at the same time, they owned and operated a home for the elderly where he enjoyed cooking the meals.

After retiring from the Bait business in 2000, he enjoyed gardening, cooking meals, and baking for his family and friends and spending time with his dogs.

During his lifetime, he enjoyed boxing, where as a teenager, he won the honor of the most promising boxer and two years in a row, won the Golden Gloves Championship. He also enjoyed breaking horses, raccoon hunting, and hunting and fishing with his family, friends, and many of his nieces and nephews.

During the recovery period of the Rapid City flood, he and his dogs helped to recover lost loved ones for many families. His efforts were greatly appreciated and rewarded by the City of Rapid City.

He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Bonnie Wilson of Sturgis; three daughters, Tammy Halvorsen (Devin, Adam) of Black Hawk, SD, Tracy Wilson (Toby) and Terri (Bill) Roden, (Joshua, Alicia, Tanlynn, Justice) of Sturgis; two sons, Ted (Jenny) Wilson (Destiny, Anissa, Rylan, Jaeden) of Piedmont, SD, and Troy Wilson (Staysha) of Gillette, WY; one sister, Janet (Tom) Snyder of Rapid City, SD; and one brother, Leland (Betty) Wilson of Norfolk, NE.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, two sisters, two nieces, and two great-nephews.

A memorial has been established.

Visitation will be noon until 9 p.m. on Sunday at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis. Family will be present from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m.

Funeral services will be 11:30 a.m. Monday, June 30, 2008 at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis with Pastor Harold Delbridge officiating. Burial with military honors by the Sturgis Veterans Honor Guard will follow at the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.