Smile

What makes Ron Wilson smile? “When I get phone calls from widows that I’ve helped get VA benefits, and my grandkids,” said Wilson, 77, Noblesville. Wilson is a 1964 Noblesville High School veteran of the U.S. Navy and served in Vietnam from 1965-71 and is a member of the American Legion Post 45 in Noblesville. The retired insurance man and substitute teacher is past State Commander of Indiana Squadron and is currently Senior Executive Officer of the National Staff of Navy Club USA and, as a past Commander of Hamilton County Navy Club Ship 29, Wilson now serves as a Trustee. Formerly, he loved to scuba down in Florida and in the Midwest when he wasn’t working with veterans. That was until he had a stroke on Valentine’s Day in 2014. Now, he said, “After I had my stroke, I had to give up scuba diving. Spending my time now in community service.” He and his wife, Sharon, have been “hitched” for 55 years and they have four kids and six grandkids. He also has enjoyed devoting time to youth, as scout leader and youth football and baseball coach. He is president of Hamilton County Veterans and was found on Memorial Day reading the names of veterans buried at Riverside Cemetery (above) in downtown Noblesville.