Arthur T. (Dean) Wilson, 83, of Spearfish, SD, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 8, 2020 at the Ft. Meade Veteran's Hospital in Sturgis, SD.

Dean, the son of Clarence and Anna Lou Wilson, was born in Bakersville, NC in 1937. He spent his youth between Baltimore, MD and the mountains of North Carolina. He regarded his uncle, Hanford Wilson, as his mentor and second father during his time in North Carolina.

Upon graduating from high school, Dean joined the United States Air Force and relocated to California, where he met and married his wife of 61 years, Mary. His military career spanned 27 years and included stations in Texas, Mississippi, California, Ohio, North Carolina and finally, Minot, ND where he retired in 1983 at the rank of Chief Master Sergeant. During his career, Dean also earned a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from the State University of New York. He and Mary moved to Papillion, NE where Mary finished her career, before making their retirement home in Spearfish, SD in 2000.

Dean was an avid outdoorsman and could often be found hunting and fishing in his adopted homes. In addition to the deer, antelope, upland game bird and varmint hunting that kept him active in North and South Dakota, he had an opportunity to experience a South African safari in 1996. Dean was a staunch supporter of the Second Amendment and a lifelong member of the NRA. For many years, Dean could also be found cruising Spearfish Canyon on his red Harley Softail. He was a later-in-life motorcycle enthusiast and had the opportunity to take several trips around the country with his sons.

Dean is survived by his wife Mary, brother Ed and his sons Randy (Olympia, WA) and Brian, daughter-in-law Dana and three grandchildren Katie, Sydney and Logan (Chicago, IL). He was preceded in death by his brother John.

Dean will be interned at the Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis, SD on Friday, December 11, 2020.