Donald W. Wilson, 76, died peacefully Oct. 9, 2003, at his home on Whidbey Island.

He was born April 4, 1927, in Seattle. He graduated from Lincoln High School in 1944 and served in the Army for two years, at Fort Lewis and in Denver. He then attended Seattle Pacific University, graduating in 1949. He went to the University of Washington School of Dentistry and graduated in 1956. He had a dental practice in the Medical Dental Building for 32 years, and taught at the UW dental school for 10 years.

Mr. Wilson loved nature and enjoyed being outdoors, hiking at Mount Rainier throughout his life. Camping, skiing, boating and motorcycling all brought many years of joy to him. In later years of his life he also loved spending time in sunny Arizona, where he enjoyed creating things with wood.

Music was an inspiration in his life, singing many years through college and in the church choir. He loved Handel’s “Messiah.” He had a beautiful tenor voice that was strong yet gentle, as was his spirit. He will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered by his family and those whose lives he touched.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 40 years, Marguerite McMullen Wilson, in September 1988.

Mr. Wilson is survived by his wife, Marilyn; two daughters, Janet Bell and her husband, David, and Karin Loy; a son, Richard Wilson, and his wife, Dena; five grandchildren, Angela, Adam, Taylor, Rachael and Derek; two great-grandchildren, Isabella and Calob; a sister, Marion Creed; and a niece, Lynn Burwell, and her husband, Robert.

A celebration of Mr. Wilson’s life will be at 2 p.m. Friday at First Free Methodist Church, 3200 Third Ave. W., Seattle.

Memorials may be made to Mount Rainier National Park or Skagit Valley Hospice.

, Visser Funeral Home Langley, is in charge of arrangements.