Lawrence “Larry” McKinley Wilson, 81, of Fort Mill, SC, passed away on August 7, 2023. He was born October 8, 1941, in Los Angeles, CA to the late William W. Wilson and Ethel (Tommi) M. Thompson Wilson Goff (stepfather, William J. Goff) and was the oldest of four children and he was the namesake for his maternal Grandfather, Lawrence O. Thompson. Larry is survived by loving wife of 47 years, Priscilla Wilson of Fort Mill, SC, five children: Susanne Wilson Stricker (Frank) of Indianapolis, IN, Scott Wilson of Indianapolis, IN, Mark Sorrells of Valrico, FL, Tim Sorrells of Fort Mill, SC, Russ Sorrells (Brenda) of Fort Mill, SC. Three siblings who were lucky to have Larry as a big brother: sister, Devon Wilson Reed Neise of Bloomington, IL, brother, Steve Wilson of Gladstone, OR, and sister, Dawn Wilson Copas (Stan) of West Lafayette, IN. Larry also leaves behind thirteen grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Larry was preceded in death by his parents William W. Wilson and Ethel (Tommi) M. Thompson Wilson Goff.
Larry was a 1959 graduate of Jefferson High School and earned a degree from the School of Industrial Engineering at Purdue University in 1963 and a second degree from Purdue’s School of Aviation in 1966. He was first married to Nancy Arlene Cochard on August 28, 1965, in Fortville, IN, and had two children: Susanne and Scott Wilson. He was then married to Priscilla Harold Sorrells on May 28, 1976. “Priss” had three wonderful young boys; Mark, Tim and Russ Sorrells that joined their expanding family. Larry proudly served his country in the United States Army in the late 1960’s and was honorably discharged as a Captain in May of 1977. He worked as a sales representative for various companies throughout his career in KY, MI, TN and IN.
Fond memories are vast and include his childhood home at 619 Park Avenue in Lafayette, the Columbian Park & Pool, visits to the Frozen Custard, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church and family celebrations, school days and friends. Larry lived and breathed PURDUE! A lifelong model airplane enthusiast, Larry skillfully built multiple remote-control airplanes from boyhood into his retirement years with some of his favorites keeping him company in his shop and garage. He built and flew many of his own planes and was a member of several RC plane clubs. A perfect day for Larry was sunshine and blue skies with his buddies flying their RC airplane creations into the wild blue yonder.
A gathering of family and friends for Larry is scheduled for Saturday, September 2nd from 1:00 to 2:00 PM at Tippecanoe Funeral & Cremation Services Chapel, 3631 Morehouse, West Lafayette, IN 47906.
A celebration of life memorial service will follow immediately after the gathering beginning at 2:00 PM at the chapel, with Reverend Rick Grant officiating. Military funeral honors will also be performed by the United States Army and American Legion Post #492 of West Lafayette, IN. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given in Larry’s memory to The Parkinson’s Foundation, 1359 Broadway, Ste 1509, New York, NY 10018.
Leave a Tribute