Harold Reginald Wilson was born on January 21, 1948, in Cleveland, Ohio, he was the first child of David and Edna Wilson. He was raised in Cleveland and became a son to Melvin “Rapp” Lewis when his mother married him in 1955. He loved Rapp and constantly gave him honor as a wonderful father.
He attended John Hay Cleveland Public Schools and Cuyahoga Community College. Additionally, he attended many classes connected to United Auto Workers. He was wed on May 14, 1969, to Rose Cade his high school sweetheart, and to that union one child was born, Lesa Wilson. Later, on March 15, 1988, he wed Andrea Monroe and thus, inherited four other children, Renotta, James, Michelle, and Erica. They finished raising this family together with love and respect. He, along with his wife, Andrea, was baptized at Lee Memorial AME Church under Reverend Cheviene Jones, upon joining Quinn Chapel AME Church in 2001. In 2015, he joined Allen Temple A.M.E. Church and remain a faithful member until his demise.
Brother Wilson had a passion for helping others as witnessed by his service to God, his family, his church, his lodge, and his union. If you wanted unbiased and sound advice, you could go to Harold. If you needed a dollar, you could go to Harold. If you needed a ride, you could go to Harold. If you needed an empathetic listener, he was your go-to. Harold was humble, spiritual, loving, kind, and a wonderful husband, father, and Poppa. He could lead and follow in life, with no complaints. He was understanding and forgiving. One of his favorite sayings was, “I don’t see any holes in your hands! You don’t have to be perfect!” How great this world would be if we had more people like him.
Harold traveled to many new and exotic places. Among the places he went to were Africa, Paris, Italy, and Hawaii. He visited all the Caribbean Islands and always invited those he loved to go with him. If you speak with those who knew him, many of them will tell you that they traveled with him somewhere on this earth!
As his life as he knew it was diminishing, his granddaughter, Alexandria, remained faithful and caring. She was there until he took his final breath.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Andrea; his mother, Edna Lewis; two brothers, David and Melvin; and one child, Renotta.
To cherish and honor his loving memory will be his loving daughter, Lesa (Byron) Chapman; four additional children, James (Leara) Monroe, Michelle (Lee) Grimes, and Erica Monroe of Las Vegas; brother, Paul Wilson; sisters, Edna “Sweetie” Maynor, and Elaine Dorsey of Leesburg Virginia; 9 grandchildren, Ashlee, Aleesa, Alexandria, Robin, Ryan, Amanda, Jasmine, Asia, and Erin; two great-granddaughters, Janelle and Kaylah; BFF, Sandra; and a host of other family members and friends.