Marion Eugene Wilson

Marion Eugene "Gene" Wilson, 87, passed away Thursday, February 25, 2021 at his residence in Benton, Louisiana. A funeral service celebrating Gene's life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 2, 2021 at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2201 Airline Drive, Bossier City, Louisiana, with Brother Robert Beadle and Brother Bill Lott officiating. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until service time. Interment will be held at 3:00 p.m. at the Queen City Cemetery, Marietta Street, Queen City Cass County, Texas. Gene was born July 17, 1933 in Cass County, Texas, to Oscar and Blanche Jones Wilson. His father died three months later, and Gene and his siblings worked along with their mother as sharecroppers. Gene married his high school sweetheart, Willa Dean Plum in 1953 and they were blessed to have almost 68 years together. He served in the United States Army in 1954-1955. Gene worked at a variety of jobs and finished his career at Benton Supply Service which he founded. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Gene and Willa Dean were faithful members at First Baptist Church of Benton, Louisiana since 1979, where he served as a deacon and was very active in the ramp building ministry. He also spent numerous years travelling and building churches with Enon Volunteer Church Builders. Gene was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his loving wife, Willa Dean; daughter, Beverly Bennett and husband Chuck; son, Larry Wilson; grandchildren, Amy Shores and husband Sam, Chas Bennett and wife, Amber, Jennifer Bolden and husband, Jared, Jeri Kahre and husband, Zach; great-grandchildren Carter and Graden Bolden, Jude and Charlotte Bennett and Wyatt Kahre. Also survived by Deborah Sauseda. Honoring Gene as pallbearers are Dan Brooks, Randy Tisdale, Kerry Rains, Richard Gray, Ken Lee and Chas Bennett. Honorary pallbearers are Scotty LaBorde and John Springer. In lieu of flowers the family has suggested memorials be made to The First Baptist Church Men's Ministries of Benton, Louisiana, P.O. Box 365, Benton, Louisiana 71006.