Leroy Raymond Wilson

Retired Police Chief Leroy Raymond Wilson, 83, of Lake City, passed away peacefully on Thursday morning, August 13, 2026 at the Haven Hospice – Suwannee Valley Care Center in Lake City after a brief illness. He was born in Jacksonville, Florida on February 25, 1943 to the late Raymond Veitch Wilson and Estella Crews Wilson. He has made Lake City his home since 1965, moving here from the Jacksonville area. At an early age, he went to work for the Baldwin City Ice Plant in Baldwin, where he would catch a train and ride for a little ways, enjoying the scenery; then he went to work for the Volkswagon Factory; and then settled into a career in Law Enforcement with the Lake City Police Department where he served as the Major for many years before retiring as the Chief of Police. During that time as well, he served as a Volunteer with the Lake City Fire Department. In his spare time, he enjoyed camping and tinkering with his model trains. He is preceded in death by his loving wife of over 61 years, Jean Guerry Wilson; brother, Harold Wilson and his sister, Eloise Brady.

He is survived by his loving daughters, Kelly Bailey (Aubrey); Dawna Robinson (John) and Mary Harrison (Randy); and his three sisters, Margaret Greene, Julianne VanLooven (Gary) and Cathy DiGrazzio (Dan). Nine grandchildren, Leanne Huesman (Matt), Daniel Bailey (Chrystal), Rebecca Paulk (Clay), Kimberly Humphries (Landon), Tim Herringshaw, Kevin Herringshaw (Jessica), Ashley Blevins (Blake), Marrisa Harrison and Ryan Harrison (Amber) along with 17 great-grandchildren with two on the way also survive.

A funeral service for Chief Wilson will be conducted on Sunday, August 16, 2026 at 5:00 P.M.in the Gateway-Forest Lawn Memorial Chapel with Matt Huesman and Frank Owens, officiating. Interment will follow. The family will receive friends for a time of visitation beginning at 4:00 P.M. prior to the service at the funeral home. Arrangements are under the direction and care of GATEWAY-FOREST LAWN FUNERAL HOME, 3596 S. US HWY 441, Lake City, FL, 32025, 386-752-1954. Please leave words of comfort for the family at www.gatewayforestlawn.com.