Edward Collings Wilson, 85, of St. Augustine, passed away Friday, June 11, 2010, in St. Augustine following a brief period of illness associated with long-term COPD. He was a devoted and loving father and a loyal friend to many. He truly lived life to the fullest every day. He was born in Elk Neck, Md., on Dec. 23, 1924, and was the youngest boy of seven children. He lived with his parents, William James Wilson and Mary Rebecca Purner Wilson, on the family farm until graduation from North East High School in 1942. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1943. He served in the Pacific for three years during World War II and was most proud of his participation in the Battle of Okinawa, beginning April 1, 1945, Easter Sunday. He served our country proudly and was committed to veteran service. Following the war, he built his first house in Charlestown, Md., and married Catherine Marie Brown of Newark, Del. Together for 23 years, they had three children, Ruth, Mary, and Matthew, to whom he was devoted. During that time he also lived in Churchville and Darlington. He lived in Rising Sun during his brief second marriage to Joan Hanna. Later in life he continued to be very proud of his children and their spouses and encouraging of their individual interests and dreams. He had a long career in construction, retiring as a construction inspector from the Department of the Army at Aberdeen Proving Ground and subsequently starting his own construction company. He continued his building and real estate projects after his move to Florida. He moved to St. Augustine on Feb. 14, 1992, and embraced his life there with unrivaled enthusiasm. For 16 years, he lived next to the Alligator Farm and became a fixture in the community. He recently celebrated 26 years of sobriety, an achievement of which he was extremely proud. He was a lifelong member of the Episcopal Church and a deeply religious and spiritual man. His deep faith helped him through his illness with grace and ease and he was excited to experience the next step in his journey with God. His perpetual smile will always be upon us. St. Augustine services include a visitation for family and friends Tuesday, June 15, 2010, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Craig"s Funeral Home, 1475 Old Dixie Highway (904-824-1672) and a funeral service on Wednesday, June 16, 2010, at 1 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church, 215 St. George Street (904-824-2876). Services in Maryland include a visitation for family and friends Thursday, June 17, 2010, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Crouch Funeral Home, 127 S. Main St., North East, Md., and funeral services on Friday, June 18, 2010, at 11 a.m. at St. Mary Anne"s Episcopal Church, 315 S. Main St., North East, Md. with interment to follow in the church cemetery. He is survived by his children, Ruth Erin Wilson Cazares and husband, Joe Cazares, of Panama City, Panama, Mary Catherine McLean and husband, David McLean, of St. Augustine, and Matthew Edward Wilson and wife Patricia Wilson of Muddy Creek Forks, Pa.; sisters, Helen Bunitsky-Ulary and Mary Ann Cavender of Wilmington, Del.; five grandchildren, Patrick, Tim, Clinton, Alex and Isabel; eight stepgrandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and a legion of relatives and friends. Memorial contributions can be made in his name to Northeast Florida Community Hospice Foundation, Flagler Facility, 4266 Sunbeam Road, Jacksonville, FL 32257. Craig Funeral Home Crematory Memorial Park is in charge of arrangements. Published in St. Augustine Record from June 14 to June 15, 2010