Elliott P. Wilson

Elliott P. Wilson, 97, of Cambridge passed away on Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at his daughter's home. He was born on September 12, 1914 to the late John Robert and Katherine Bell Wilson.

He was raised in Cambridge and attended public schools and graduated from Cambridge High School. On June 30, 1945, he married the former Shirley Harding and enjoyed 59 years of marriage until her death on May 17, 2004.

After entering the U.S. Army, he was captured in Africa in November of 1942. He was held on a farm in Germany until February 14, 1945, when he joined a march of over 500 POW's. They marched until he was liberated on April 14, 1945. He received the European-African-Middle Eastern Ribbon with One Battle Participation Star and a POW medal. On Veteran's Day in 2000 during a family ceremony, he was presented the Purple Heart for his hearing loss due to his captivity.

After his honorable discharge, he went to work at the family owned business of Choptank Construction until he was Senator-appointed to a job at the U.S. Post Office as a Rural Mail Carrier, a job he held for 27 years until his retirement. After retirement he enjoyed gardening, building furniture and spending time with his family. He was a member of Grace United Methodist Church, honorary member of Rescue Fire Company and Linkwood-Salem Volunteer Fire Company, Choptank Memorial Post 7460 VFW, American Legion Post 91, Cambridge Lodge 1272 BPOE Elks, Dept. of MD American Ex-Prisoner and National Rural Letter Carriers Associations.

He is survived by a daughter Anne Pritchett with whom he lived and her husband Buddy of Cambridge and daughter in law Linda Wilson also of Cambridge. He is also survived by his grandchildren Robyn Ayers and her husband Wes of Federalsburg, Brian Pritchett and his wife Jennifer of Cambridge, Keith Wilson and his wife Kathy of Cambridge, Brent Wilson and his wife Melissa of Salisbury and Diana Wilson of Seattle, Washington; his great grandchildren Alexis and Brooke Planner of Federalsburg, Gracie Ann Pritchett of Cambridge, Hannah Mackenzie and Kelly Wilson of Cambridge, Nora, Larry and Rachel Wilson of Salisbury. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Besides his parents and his wife Shirley, he is preceded in death by a son Larry H. Wilson, sisters Agnes Delaha, Eunice Hall and brothers Robert B. Wilson, Woodrow Wilson and James R. Thomas.

Pallbearers will be Brian Pritchett, Keith Wilson, Brent Wilson, Wes Ayers, George Windsor and Ricky Mooney.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, February 28, 2012 at 1p.m. at Thomas Funeral Home, P.A. in Cambridge with Rev. Douglas M. Ridley officiating. Interment will be private. Family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Linkwood- Salem Volunteer Fire Company, P.O. Box 66, Linkwood, MD 21835.