His vision spawned a Brandon High School facility that almost 40 years later remains the cornerstone of education in the community.
From 1978-1990 Dick Wilson served as Superintendent of the Brandon School District spearheaded a bond to construct the high school in addition to significant improvements to other facilities in the district.
Dick Wilson died Dec. 14.
He was 83.
A Waterford resident, Dick was born in Chicago, Il. July 11, 1931 the son of the late Harry and Lilly (nee. McGrail) Wilson. Beloved husband of the late Lillian; loving father of Mark Wilson, Richard D. (Carol) Wilson, David Wilson and Maria (Michael) Wilson-Zwiernik; dearest grandfather of Arielle, Alexander, Alexa, Alyse, Brendan, Lilly and Everett. Dr. Wilson was a Veteran of the U S Air Force. Graduate of Detroit Catholic Central High School, University of Detroit and Doctoral study at the University of Michigan and Wayne State University.
Judy Learst Flynn was the secretary to the superintendent in the Brandon School District for 28 years which included 12 years with Dr. Wilson.
‘Dick Wilson was a dear friend, a fine man, and a dedicated educator,? said Learst, who retired in 2003. ‘He was a visionary for Brandon Schools and he worked very hard to bring those visions to fruition. He was passionate about education and the means to achieve that end’through academics, new facilities and improved programming. I asked him once why he became a superintendent. He said, ‘because that was the way he could have the greatest positive educational impact on the most children.? And he did. His was truly a life well-lived.?

The Performing Arts Center at Brandon High School was dedicated to Dr.Wilson in 1990.
In addition to Superintendent of the Brandon School District he was also Principal of Adrian High School and Assistant Superintendent of the Adrian Public Schools. He was a professor at Oakland University, Co Founder and Executive Director of the School Equity Caucus. Dr. Wilson also authored ‘The M Book? which was a comedy book about the University of Michigan. With all his accomplishments, the most important thing to him was his family.
Art Carlson, 77, served on the Brandon School Board for eight years including when Dr.Wilson was superintendent.
‘The bond to build the high school was more than $20 million,? said Carlson. ‘It was largest bond ever at the time for Brandon. It was also tough times for the community and Dr. Wilson kept the community behind the project. Many citizens were involved in the project to build the high school? volunteers even helped move the furniture into the new facility to help save money. He was the right man for the time. He really put his whole hart into to the district.?
A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m., Dec. 22 at Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church, 5481 Dixie Hwy., Waterford, Fr. Michael Gawlowski officiating. Burial at White Chapel Cemetery, Troy. Family will receive friends Sunday from 3-7 p.m., at Coats Funeral Home Waterford. In lieu of flowers Memorial Donations may be made to the Brandon School District Theatre Department attn: Richard and Lillian Wilson Performing Arts Fund.