Simeon Robert Wilson III passed away February 8th at Harrison Hospital in Bremerton, WA from complications due to surgery.

Sim, as he was known to his friends was born on August 2, 1927 in Hood River, Oregon to Ruth and Simeon Wilson II. He spent his early years growing up on Whidbey Island and later during his high school years he and his family moved to Marysville where his father was the editor of the Marysville Globe.

Sim attended Everett Jr. College and Washington State University where he graduated with a BA. Later, he attended the University of Washington where he graduated with a Masters in Fine Arts. His studies were interrupted by the Korean War where he was stationed for three years on the U.S.S. Baltimore spending summers in the Mediterranean and winters in Boston. He began working on a Doctorate at Ohio State but came home to begin a career as a newspaper man following in the footsteps of his father and grand-father. Sim was editor and publisher of the Marysville Globe and Arlington Times for over thirty years.

He married Betty Rust in 1959 and they raised two children at the family home on Priest Point near Marysville.

In 1972 he was elected to the Washington State House of Representatives and served as a State Representative to the 10th District for twenty years, retiring in 1992. During his ten terms he chaired the transportation committee and served as the Republican leader.

He moved to Bainbridge Island in 1993 when he married Karen Schmidt. In 2006 they built a new home in Kingston where they lived until he passed away. Sim was an avid gardener and loved to build model airplanes. He continued to make pottery in his retirement and traveled extensively with his wife Karen and their friends to the far corners of the world including Myanmar, India, Egypt, China, Austria, Hungary, Turkey, Greece, Argentina, Chile. Some of his happiest times were spent at their condo in Manzanillo, Mexico.

Sim is survived by his wife Karen Wilson, son Michael Wilson (Linda Hamilton), daughter Maren Wilson (Debra Kelly), stepsons Geoffrey & Gavin Schmidt, grandchildren Justin, Zachary, Simeon & Layla Wilson, Colleen Campbell. He is also survived by Betty Rust and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Murial Williams and brother David Wilson.

A celebration of life will be held at The Everett Station at 3201 Smith Ave., Everett, Wash., at 1 p.m., on Feb. 22, 2009. Funeral Arrangements are under the direction of Stone Chapel, Poulsbo. Condolences may be sent to Karen Wilson, P.O.Box 40965, Olympia WA 98504. Remembrances can be sent to The American Cancer Society under Charity Runner http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?px=7147489&fr_id=18255&pg=person.