Samuel Augusta Wilson, 90

Samuel Augusta Wilson, 90, passed away on Sunday, July 3, 2005, in Sandpoint, Idaho.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 7, 2005, at Coffelt's Moon Chapel, Pine and Division streets, with Kenny Coulston officiating. Interment will follow at Pinecrest Memorial Park Cemetery with military honors.

Sam was born on June 19,1915, in San Diego, Calif., the son of Samuel A. Wilson Sr. and Hazel F. (Souther) Wilson. He grew up in California and graduated from Vallejo High School in Vallejo, Calif., in 1934.

Sam joined the U.S. Navy in 1935, serving until 1941. He re-enlisted on Jan. 15, 1942, and served until his honorable discharge on Jan. 26, 1946, as an aviation chief metalsmith.

He moved to Sandpoint in 1946 and started to work for Pack River Lumber Co. in Dover, Idaho, in 1951. He started work pulling green chain and, throughout the years, performed many jobs and duties with the mill, ending up as foreman. After 30-plus years with Pack River Lumber Co., he retired in 1982.

Sam married Hazel Smith on Aug. 4, 1947, in Reno, Nev.

He loved being outdoors to fish and hunt. His pastime in retirement was cutting wood, something he was working on until the day he passed away. Sam was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 2453 in Sandpoint.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 58 years, Hazel of Sandpoint; a daughter, Ellen Frei of Sandpoint; three grandchildren, Lindsey Frei and Brent Frei, both of Moscow, Idaho, and Michael Frei of Sandpoint; a brother, Emery Wilson of Sandpoint; a sister, Patricia Fitts of Milam, Texas; and many nieces and nephews. Sam was preceded in death by three children, Nancy, David and Paul Wilson.

Arrangements are entrusted to the case of Coffelt Funeral Service of Sandpoint.