Duane Carl "Bud" Wilson

After a long illness, on November 8, 2025, at age 70, Duane Carl Wilson went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Duane, lovingly known as “Bud”, was born in Buffalo, NY, on June 21, 1955. He was the son of Duane Corliss Wilson and Lucy Hacker. He had four siblings: Linda Kucharski, Ken Wilson, Michael Wilson and Kathy Domino. At age 18, Duane joined the US Air Force. After an honorable discharge, he returned to Buffalo, NY. At age 19, through the college ministry at Grace Baptist Church, he heard the true Gospel of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, and received Him into his heart. Duane found joy, and rejoiced in Christ for 51 years! Bud excelled in music, learned many instruments, and loved to sing in church choirs. In the mid 1970’s, Duane studied theology and piano at Bob Jones University. During summer break, he met Barbara Rosenthal at Grace Baptist Church in the Town of Tonawanda, NY. They were married there on November 17, 1979. Duane graduated from ECPI in 2001 with a degree in computer programming. While working hard as a computer developer, he went to night classes, and graduated from Tabernacle Baptist College in 2005. In his younger days, he worked for various companies including Fisher-Price; Ford, and Precision Servo Lab, his dad’s business); and as a software developer for TD Bank; Wells Fargo, and Bank of America. At 67, Duane and Barbara joined Freedom Baptist Church of Greenville, SC. Nine months later, they liquidated all besetting weights, moved to Loja, Ecuador, and planted an inner city mission church: Iglesia Bautista Palabra de Vida. They passed out over 5,200 Spanish gospel tracts and led 20 persons to the Lord! It was his dream to reach lost Roman Catholics. Duane is survived by his wife Barbara Lynn Wilson, and children: Christine Lynn Wilson Vickery, Steven John Wilson, Timothy James Wilson, Daniel Mark Wilson and Mary Beth Wilson. His second daughter, Julie Marie Wilson, passed away at age 17, in 2003. The viewing will be at Freedom Baptist Church, 1907 W. Parker Rd. Greenville, SC 29617, at 10am, Saturday, November 22, 2025. Memorial Service will follow at 11am, with a message from Freedom’s pastor, Rev. Scott L’Heureux. A graveside service will be held at Graceland East Cemetery, 2206 Woodruff Rd., Simpsonville, SC, at 3PM. In lieu of flowers, Duane requested donations be made to the Tabernacle Children’s Home, 3931 White Horse Rd. Greenville, SC 29611. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.thehowzemortuary.com The Howze Mortuary in Travelers Rest is in charge of the arrangements. (864)834-8051

Duane Carl "Bud" Wilson

June 21, 1955 - November 8, 2025