David Ellis Wilson

David Ellis Wilson went to be with his Savior and Lord on Saturday June 15th, 2024, after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. David was born on August 31st,1946 to Richard and Rozella Wilson in Connersville, IN but spent most of his childhood on his family’s small farm in Fulton County, IN. 

 He graduated high school in 1964 from Greenfield, receiving a scholarship to the IU school of music for piano performance. David never made it to Bloomington, but decidedly made his way to the recruiting center where he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He quickly made it into the Marine Corps marching band, traveling and performing. He has enjoyed music his entire life, playing a variety of instruments, instilling in his kids and grandchildren a passion for worship and praise to God. 

 He met his wife of 57 years, Sue (Putman) Wilson at a church service in Oceanside California while serving in the United States Marine Corps at Camp Pendleton. Sue ‘friend zoned’ David knowing that he could ship out at any moment. At the height of the Vietnam conflict David was deployed on a ship bound for the battlefield. 

In route he was recalled to the states for flight training. David succeeded in the cockpit but the rigorous math and science that his fellow trainees had received in college put him at a disadvantage. David instead decided to focus on his infantry training and finish out his four-year commitment to the USMC. David was never re-deployed to the Vietnam theatre. Back in Oceanside the girl who had caught his eye was now on his arm. David and Barbara Sue were married on December 17,1966.

 Settling down with his bride in Sacramento, David worked tirelessly in the trades while attending American River College where he completed a two-year associates degree. 

David and Sue had an exciting start to their marriage, camping and exploring the CA coast, desert and mountains where they further cemented their passion for their faith, one another and outreach to others. Sue ministered to shut-ins and nursing home patients as a beautician while David worked in maintenance, sales and anything he could put his hand to, including working on the gas lines for PG&E in the mountains and on Travis Air Force Base. 

 It was during this time that they became involved in the “Jesus Revolution,” which was a revival movement that was transforming the lives of hippies, soldiers, and college students alike, as young people responded to the call to turn from their empty ways of living and commit their lives in every way to Jesus Christ. This was radical and it set David and Sue on fire and created a passion for living and loving, reading and studying God’s word, and reaching others with this transforming relationship. This new purpose and passion became the foundation for everything else in life. 

 They lived six years in California while being active in the home church movement and the trades while they started their little family. David, his wife, and two young children moved from Sacramento, CA back to Indiana in 1974, to return to Wilson family roots and to be involved with the ministry of DeVern Fromke, which became “Fellowship House” and then Nora Christian Fellowship. 

 David and Sue were blessed with 6 active children who all had the earmarks of their father, with a zeal for living and an orneriness and grit that could turn the simplest of times into a contest, festival or zoo. 

 It is often said of David that he never knew a stranger, welcoming young and old alike to the warmth of his humble life and home, sharing what he could even when provision was meager. 

 In 1995, David saw a business opportunity in carpet cleaning and water damage restoration and founded A&D Hydra Clean. He grew the company with a like-minded and big-hearted team that shared his values and dedication to excellence. All five of his sons were employed by the company at some point in their upbringing. 

A&D Restoration continues to operate in the Indianapolis area and has now involved 3 generations of Wilsons. 

 David always spoke of how good the Lord had been to him. A person could hardly have a conversation without David pointing to the Love of Jesus and his heavenly Father. 

 David loved to serve, was a man full of faith, grit and passion, an active outdoorsman and always made a difference in the lives of those he met along his path. 

David was gifted in many ways, but this world will miss him most for his generous willingness and ability to be a help to those in need and share his life, treasures and the love of Jesus Christ. 

He is survived by his wife Sue, his children including Aaron Wilson (Jill), Shalyn Byrn (Andy), Jeremy Wilson (Hilary), Caleb Wilson (Karen), Samuel Wilson (Elizabeth), and Titus Wilson (Hadley), 18 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and his four siblings.

 A funeral for David will be held on Friday June 21st at 1:00 PM at Zionsville Fellowship (9090 W Oak St, Zionsville, IN), with visitation hours preceding from 10:00 AM-1 PM. 

 In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Str8Up Ministries (str8uplife.org) or Samaritan’s Purse (samaritanspurse.org)