It is with great sadness that I inform you of the death of a dear personal friend and a dear friend of Treasure Beach, Pete Wilson. Both Pete and his lovely wife Ann were Peace Corp volunteers here in Treasure Beach from 1999 to 2001. During that time Pete helped out in various capacities working closely with Food for the Poor and BREDS in providing many houses for members of the community. Pete oversaw the building of new bathrooms for the Basic School, and so very much more. He was very organized and a "to the point" man which allowed him to accomplish much in his time here. My deepest sympathies to our dear dear Ann (who helped to start the Treasure Beach Women's Group) and their family. Pete left his indelible stamp of love and understanding on this community and I personally feel very grateful to have considered him my friend. You will be missed Pete, but not forgotten.

The following is the obituary for Pete provided by his wife Ann Wilson.

Albert H. (Pete) Wilson III, 75

June 6, 1934 – March 6, 2010

Albert H. (Pete) Wilson III died peacefully at Lakeland Regional Medical Center on March 6, 2010 due to heart failure. He was surrounded by members of his family.

Pete was born June 6, 1934 in Pensacola, FL. As the son of a U.S. Navy Captain, he moved often during his early years. After finishing high school in Rhode Island he attended Virginia Military Institute, graduating in 1957 with a degree in Civil Engineering and was commissioned a 2nd Lt. in the U.S. Army. Upon graduation he married his first wife the former Barbara J. Fowler.

Pete served 21 years in the Army for the Army Corps of Engineers. Some of his favorite assignments were Airborne Combat Engineer, Military Personnel Officer for the Army Corps of Engineers, Assistant Chief of Staff for the 82nd Airborne Division, Deputy District Engineer in Rock Island, IL, and Commander of the 326th Engineer Battalion in the 101st Airborne Division. Other notable accomplishments were two tours in Vietnam, including one as advisor to a Vietnamese Engineer Battalion. Another milestone of his career was earning a Masters Degree in Industrial Engineering from Stanford University.

After Pete retired from the Army as a Lt. Colonel in 1978, he moved to Lakeland to work for Agrico Chemical Co. In his 12 years with the company he rose to the position of Maintenance Manager of the South Pierce Chemical Works. In 1993 Pete joined FEMA, working as a mitigation officer on numerous natural disasters.

In 1996 Pete married the former Ann Melville from Washington, D.C.. Together they joined the Peace Corps in 1999, serving 3 years in Jamaica as Peace Corps Volunteers. He was much loved by the Treasure Beach community where Pete supervised the construction of more than 40 homes for struggling Jamaican families, rebuilt portions of the elementary schools and helped local fishermen by introducing them to GPS technology. Pete and Ann returned to Lakeland in 2002. Pete resumed his work for FEMA responding to numerous natural disasters, including the three hurricanes in Florida of 2004, and relief work after Hurricane Katrina. In addition, Pete served on the board of Lakeland Habitat for Humanity and was a member of Lakeland Historic Preservation Board.

Pete was very proud of his sons and stepsons (seven in total) and all their accomplishments. He was often seen wearing t-shirts with their college insignias as his way of launching into a conversation where he not only talked about his sons but also about his 11 grandchildren.

Pete is preceded in death by parents Albert H. and Marion Richardson Wilson, his brother William Christopher Wilson, and stepson Capt. Werner H. Jurinka, USN. He is survived by Ann Melville Wilson, his wife of 13 years, sisters Marion Webster and Virginia Wilson, sons Peter M. Wilson, David A. Wilson and Stephen C. Wilson, his stepsons Andrew M. Jurinka, Chandler J. Jurinka and Christian H. Jurinka, and his grandchildren Christopher M. Wilson, Emily Wilson, Daniel Wilson, Joshua Wilson, James Wilson, Samuel Wilson and Margaret Wilson.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday March 11th 3:30 pm at St. David’s Episcopal Church in Lakeland. A reception will follow the service in the church Parrish Hall. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to Talbot House Ministries, Lakeland Habitat for Humanity and Platform Art.

RIP, Pete, and my deepest condolences to you, Ann. It was a pleasure knowing you both.

Our deepest sympathies go out to Ann and family at this time. Pete was a very good man to me and all the people of Treasure Beach. He worked hard to accomplish the things he believed in. He never said "no" and always found a way to solve a need. He was like a big brother to me, I looked up to him and cherished our time together. He had a good life, fulfilled many goals he set out to accomplish and is now resting with the Lord.
Sleep on my friend.