Howard Davis Wilson

Bluffton, SC – Howard D. ‘Howie’ Wilson, Jr., age 86, died peacefully in his home at Berkeley Hall Golf Club on December 10, 2021. He was born in Arlington, MA to the late Howard Davis Wilson and Muriel Catherine (Ross) Wilson. He and his wife of 58 years, Haila Rita (Peterson) Wilson, made the Hilton Head Island and Bluffton, SC area their home for over 25 years.

A graduate of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Howie studied Horticulture and Business. He and Haila started their life together in Bellingham, MA and for the next 35 years created two large destination stores, Bel-Air Gardens in Bellingham, MA and Wilson’s Garden & Patio Shop in Berlin, MA. The stores featured home furnishings, a Christmas shop, and garden, patio, and landscaping products and services. They also invested and managed a successful real estate portfolio.

Howard and Haila’s dream was to move to the warmer climate of South Carolina, which they did in 1998.  Howie spent his retirement years traveling, playing golf, riding bikes, playing cards, and walking on the beach. He was a member of Lord of Life Lutheran Church where he enjoyed singing in the choir and studying the Bible with the men’s group. He also loved watching New England sports and reliving stories of his childhood in the Winchester area, at Locke Farm and the many interesting jobs that he had in his youth. But the highlight of his life was his family. He adored his wife and loved his daughters, but he especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren—swimming in the pool, playing cards, sitting together at church or attending their Boy Scouts, sports, and school activities, parades, and parties. He was so proud of all their achievements and the men they have become.

If you were lucky enough to have met Howie, you will remember his twinkling blue eyes, authentic smile, hearty laugh and generous spirit. He enjoyed meeting people and was quick to tell a joke, start up a conversation, share a story, or sing a song.  Everyone always felt better after spending a few minutes with him.

Howard will be remembered by his wife, Haila Rita (Peterson) Wilson, daughters Heather Marie Wilson of Atlanta, GA and Hilton Head Island, SC and Holly Wilson Sherburne of Bluffton, SC, grandchildren Andrew P. and Matthew W. Sherburne, brother Stephen L. Wilson and his partner, Laurel Lane of Winchester, MA, sister Georgina M. Acton and husband William M. of Arlington, Texas, sister-in-law Mary E. (Keefe) Wilson of Stoneham, MA, and many nieces and nephews. His brother Phillip W. Wilson preceded Howard in death.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a future date due to concerns with Covid-19.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Alzheimer's Association (act.alz.org) or to Wright-Locke Farm (www.wlfarm.org).