Final Salute

Ronald Wilson, a longtime resident of Mariposa, was born on June 21 ,1931, in Madera and passed away on July 14, 2022, at the age of 91.

He began his childhood in the back of a harness shop in Fresno County. During World War II, Ron worked on ranches and farms around the Clovis area, driving teams while men loaded the wagons. At the end of the war he worked after school and on weekends in his stepfather’s ( John Hill) saddle shop until his junior year of high school.

Summers were spent working on ranches and one year at a pack station in Dinky Creek. Ron moved to Mariposa in 1948 and while working for the Circle M Ranch; he graduated from the Mariposa County High School class of 1950. That year he worked for Yosemite National Park but joined the Navy Seabees during the Korean conflict and served until 1954.

Ron returned to the park service where he remained until his retirement in 1986 as U.S. Forest Service supervisor. His jobs included a sawyer, firefighter and technician, tree climber, climbing instructor, back country research and more.

During his time in Mariposa, Ron was active in the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Posse as a captain in search and rescue, V.F.W., I.O.O.F Odd Fellows where he was Noble Grand, wagon master for the Mariposa Wagon Train. He also found time to team rope, ranch and raise long horn cattle.

Ronald was preceded in death by his mother, May; stepfather, John; brother, Luther; sister, Laverne; and daughter, Pearl.

He is survived by his wife, Evelyn; children, William Wilson and Rhonda Bean (Pete); stepchildren, Michael Brocchini (Paula) and Yvonne Lyles (E.J.); along with several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He will be greatly missed.