Robert Joseph Staff Sgt. Wilson Obituary (1979 - 2008)

Staff Sgt. Robert Joseph Wilson, 28, died on Saturday January 26, 2008 in Baghdad, Iraq while on patrol in the Red Zone with his unit. Staff Sgt. Wilson was an infantryman assigned to A Company, 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault, Screaming Eagles), Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He was born March 15, 1979, the son of Willie D. Wilson and Peggy McWhorter Wilson. Robert spent his early childhood in Taylorville before moving to Florida. He returned to Taylorville and attended high school here prior to enlisting in the Army. Staff Sgt. Wilson was on his 3rd tour of duty in Iraq and died doing what he truly believed in. He is survived by his father and step-mother Willie D. and Terri Wilson of Taylorville; mother and stepfather, Peggy and Kevin Habian of Florida; grandparents Barbara McWhorter and the late Albert McWhorter of Taylorville, and the late Helen Wilson of Taylorville; sister Darlene (Willy) Weigle of Richardson, Texas; stepsister, Mandy Dempsey of Chicago; stepbrother, Adam (Monica) Dempsey of Taylorville; aunts and uncles, Martin and Donna Wilson of Taylorville, Rita and John Oldakowski of Taylorville; Willie Mae Pope and Mike Thorson of Taylorville; Mary Ellen and Chuck Bailie of Petersburg; Sharon and David Newell of Texas; Ruby Gooly of California; Debbie Heckwine of Taylorville; Diane Blom of Springfield; and Kathy Dickerson of Taylorville; and a niece and nephew. The Staff Sgt.'s body was brought back to the United States by way of Dover Air Force Base, Deleware, and will be flown to Arlington VA. A chapel service will be held on February 13 and then he will be buried in the hallowed grounds of Arlington National Cemetery with full Military Honors. Following the families return to Taylorville, a Memorial Visitation will be held on Friday February 15, 2008 from 5-7pm at McClure Funeral Home in Taylorville. A Memorial Fund has been established at the First National Bank of Taylorville to assist the family with the travel costs to attend the funeral.