Scholarship Criteria:
- Graduating Senior from Valley High School, Lucasville, Ohio
- GPA 3.0 or higher
- Enrolled at an accredited college or university or trade school
The Dr. Charles Wilson Memorial Scholarship was created by his wife Mary Alice and family in memory of the long-time active community member and orthodontist.
To be eligible to apply for the new scholarship named for Dr. Wilson, a student must be a graduating senior from Valley High School and achieve a GPA between 3.0 and 4.0. He or she may attend a college, university or trade school. Annual scholarship selections will be made by the volunteer scholarship committee of the Scioto Foundation.
Dr. Wilson, a resident of Lucasville and Marco Island, Florida was born on May 9, 1945 in Bluefield, West Virginia, a son of the late Charles Milton and Helen Warne Wilson. He died on February 28, 2019.
Among the many organizations and boards on which Dr. Wilson served was the Valley School District Board of Education for 24 years. During his time on the school board two new schools and the athletic complex were completed. He was named to the Valley School District Hall of Fame in honor of his work there.
He was a member of the Scioto Foundation’s Board of Governors for 11 years and an active Rotarian for many years, serving on the local Rotary Board. Dr. Wilson was a member of the Cornerstone United Methodist Church of Portsmouth and an affiliate member of the Wesley United Methodist Church of Marco Island, Florida, as well as a member of The Gideons International. He taught a Senior High Sunday School class for many years and spent much time with youth activities.
“It was my pleasure and privilege to serve on the Scioto Foundation – of course in those days it was the Scioto County Area Foundation – with Charles “Chuck” Wilson at a time of great transition. During that time Chuck brought to the table his meticulous attention to detail, his inherent good nature, his interest in education and his wisdom which made his thoughts something to capture the attention of his fellow board members,” said his friend and Scioto Foundation colleague Dr. Wayne Wheeler.
“At that time the Foundation was operating with a board and a secretary and had grown to a size which needed executive leadership. Chuck served on the selection committee with Sallie Schisler, Ralph Wisneiwski and me. The selection of that executive was, I am sure, as much of a high moment for Chuck as it was for me.
“It is altogether fitting and proper to honor and remember Chuck with a scholarship fund and I am proud to have served with him,” concluded Dr. Wheeler.
Dr. Wilson was a 1963 graduate of Portsmouth West High School, a 1967 Ohio University graduate with a B.S. degree in biology, a 1971 graduate of The Ohio State University College of Dentistry and a 1976 graduate of The Ohio State University College of Orthodontics.
Wilson also served in the U.S. Public Health Service and was a U.S. Coast Guard veteran, receiving the Sikorsky Award for participating in a life-saving mission at his Miami Beach Base.
After retiring, Wilson played shortstop in the Marco Island Senior Softball League and was active in the Marco Island Sail and Power Squadron, serving as the education officer. In addition to spending time with his family and his community, he enjoyed hunting , fishing and boating.
Dr. Wilson married his wife Mary Alice Shaw Wilson on February 9, 1963 in Portsmouth and together they had two daughters, two sons, and five grandchildren.
“My husband was dedicated to making life better for the youth of our community,” said his wife. “He gave much of his time to the youth of our church, school board activities and creating beautiful smiles. He loved the practice of orthodontics, but when he retired, it was the people he missed the most. My family and I want to honor him by continuing to contribute to the Valley School District in his name.”
Additions to the Dr. Charles Wilson Memorial Scholarship Fund may be made by family, friends and others in the form of gifts of cash, securities or property at any time. Further information about scholarship funds or other Scioto Foundation planned giving opportunities may be obtained by contacting Donor Services Program Manager Patty Tennant at the SF office, (740) 354-4612, or by emailing patty@thesciotofoundation.org.