Ernest E. Wilson Jr., 87, passed away Thursday, Sept. 15, 2011, at his residence.

A lifelong resident of Gloucester, Va., he was retired from the Naval Weapons Station and the Gloucester County Public Schools Transportation Department.

Ernest was preceded in death by his wife, Myrtle Wilson; parents, Ernest Wilson and Helena F. Phillips; his brothers, Caesar and Charles Wilson and Frank Phillips; one sister, Frances Green, and one niece, Ida Wilson.

He leaves to cherish his memory seven daughters, Marilyn Jarvis (James) of Newport News; Yvonne Jones (Linwood) of Fort Washington, Md., Jewel Jackson (Samuel), Starmander Lewis (John), and Lacontiss Donaldson (Walter), all of Gloucester, Jannis Franklin (Samuel) of White Plains, Md., and Kitty Spearman (Robert) of Mitchellville, Md.; two sons, Ernest E. Wilson III (Darlene) and Troy Wilson (Joyce), both of Gloucester; 18 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren, and a host of family and friends.

A funeral service was held at 12 noon on Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2011, at First Morning Star Baptist Church, Bena, with the Rev. Haywood Barnes officiating. Interment was in Rosewell Memorial Garden, Gloucester. The family received friends from 6-8 p.m. Monday, Sept. 19, 2011, at First Morning Star Baptist Church.

Arrangements by Forrest Brothers Funeral Home, Hudgins.