William Gladwell Mason “Bill” Wilson, 89, passed away peacefully on March 2, 2026. Mr. Wilson was born on September 7, 1936, in Providence, Rhode Island, to the late William Mason and Dorothy Thorpe Wilson.
William Gladwell Mason “Bill” Wilson
Bill received a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Babson Institute in Wellesley, Massachusetts. He then served two years in the US Army. After marrying his wife Ann, he held a variety of management positions in several places over the years. He settled with his family in Front Royal, VA, in 1971. He and his wife Ann owned and operated the Chester House Inn Bed & Breakfast in Front Royal for many years before retiring in 2001. Bill was a member of the Front Royal Rotary Club for over 40 years, where he served as the Sergeant-at-Arms and managed the club’s database. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ann.
Bill is survived by his three children, Stuart Wilson of Front Royal, Jackie Miller of Linden, Virginia, Jennifer Wilson Martin (Andy) of Sarasota, Florida; two grandsons, Daniel Miller (Melinda) of Front Royal, Benjamin Miller (Jessica) of Stephens City, Virginia, and one great-grandson, Miles Joseph Miller of Stephens City, Virginia. He is also survived by his two sisters, Barbara Churches of Melbourne, Australia, and his twin Jane King of Valley Cottage, New York, as well as some nieces and nephews.
At Bill’s request, there will be no public service. In lieu of flowers, he requested that memorial contributions be made to the Damon Gasque Educational Fund of the Front Royal Rotary Club for the benefit of Front Royal students. Checks can be made out to the QD Gasque Fund c/o Edward Jones, and mailed to Edward Jones, 986 John Marshall Hwy., Suite C, Front Royal, VA 22630.
