John William Wilson of Greenville, PA, passed away peacefully at 9:01 a.m. Tuesday (2-21-17) in Edison Manor, New Castle, as a result of injuries sustained from motorcycle accident on July 7, 2014. He was 58.

John was born April 15, 1958, in Grove City, a son of John D. and Dorothy Ballantine Wilson. He graduated from Grove City Area High School in 1976.

A veteran of the United States Army, John served following high school as a Power Generation and Wheel Vehicle Mechanic. He was honorably discharged from his last assignment in Fort Hood, Texas, on July 1, 1979 with Marksman and Mechanic badges.

John was a born-again Christian with strong beliefs and witnessed for his Lord through Bikers for Christ. He spent many weekends on the road riding his bike to support other Christians. He was a member of A New Day church in Seattle, WA and more recently, First Baptist Church, Greenville, PA.

John worked at The Boeing Company and Alaska Airlines as an airplane mechanic. He had also worked at North Seattle Christian and Cedar Park Christian schools for several years, building strong bonds with Michael Riley and Wendy Beard. John and his wife, Roz started an embroidery business, which served several youth sports leagues and local high schools. The embroidery business grew and they were starting a quilting business, but Roz became ill and John had to sell the businesses to attend to his wife's medical needs. His beloved wife, the former Rosalind "Roz" Fay Debolt Girgus, whom he married February 6, 1993, lost her battle with cancer on April 24th, 2012.

John returned to Pennsylvania where he worked for AIM Leasing in Girard, OH as a truck mechanic.

John enjoyed long distance bicycle riding, living off of the land, raising bees, making cheese, raising chickens, wearing his leather Harley kilt to special occasions, trying his hand at the bagpipes, wood working, boating, crabbing, computers and riding his Harley. He loved to spend time with his family at the holidays, at bicycling events, which always ended in a big picnic. John enjoyed pumpkins in the Fall, and he cherished family heirlooms, he saved many items that others later cherished.

In addition to his wife, John was preceded in death by his father.

He is survived by his mother, Dorothy Wilson, Grove City, PA, two daughters, Brandy Wilson, Colorado Springs, CO; and Mandi Wilson; four siblings, Bob Wilson and his wife Sheryl, Jackson Center, PA; Debra Wilson and her husband Chris Galanos, Monroeville, PA; Tim Wilson, Mercer, PA; and Jeff Wilson and his wife Laura, Reading, PA; four step children, David Girgus and his wife Angela, Lynnwood, WA; Tom Girgus and his wife Kim, Snohomish, WA; Michael Girgus and his wife Donna, Bothell, WA; and Tedd Girgus and his wife Michelle, Brier, WA; 3 grandchildren, Tristan, Jordan and Mellisa; and 10 step grandchildren; Sean, Cameron, Justin, Jenna, Sam, Gabe, Erica, Brady and Nick Girgus. He will be deeply missed.

Calling hours: There are no calling hours.

John and Roz's ashes will be united and then scattered together in Washington State. A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory,Inc. 111 W. Falls St. New Castle.