Paul Wilson

Paul Raymond Wilson passed peacefully in The Villages, Florida on March 19, 2026 at the age of 85.

Born on January 27, 1941 in Providence, Rhode Island to Amy (Sallander) Wilson and Arthur Wilson, Paul was a 1960 graduate of the city’s Hope High School and a center on its 1958-59 State Champion basketball team. He served proudly in the U.S. Army and worked as a programmer analyst for various companies in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, including ITT Grinnell, Textron and Sysco. After raising his family in Providence and Cranston, he spent the colder months of the past two decades in The Villages, moving there permanently in 2022.

Paul loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren, Anna and David (with whom he shared a birthday); playing and watching golf; duckpin bowling; the beaches of southern Rhode Island; Roger Williams Park Zoo; cheering on the Patriots, Celtics and (usually) the Red Sox; cruises no matter the destination; grilling no matter the weather; and in his younger days, skiing, having learned at the age of 44. He was active in his church and various charitable causes.

Paul is survived by his wife of 19 years, Rita (Whalen) Wilson; his son Brian, Brian’s wife Katherine and grandchildren Anna and David of Medfield, MA; his sister Janet Andreasen of Norton, MA; and many loving cousins, nephews, nieces and in-laws. He was predeceased by his first wife, Margaret (Potemkin) Wilson.

Paul will be buried in Rhode Island in a private service. Donations in his name may be made to Cornerstone Hospice Foundation, https://cornerstonehospice.org/the-foundation/your-support/