Rev. Thomas O. Wilson, age 77, a resident of Aurora and formerly a resident of Naperville and Chicago, died Tuesday, May 3 at Edward Hospital in Naperville. He was born on October 28, 1933 in Chicago to Thomas and Stella Wilson.

On May 4, 1958 he married Earnett Mapp. He had a passion for young people and worked with youth. From 1958 until 1962 he worked as an evangelist. In 1962 he founded and pastored Bethesda Gospel Tabernacle in Chicago where he served until 2000. From 2002 until 2011 he was "Senior Pastor" at New Jerusalem Lord's House of Prayer on the west side of Chicago.

He was a Chicago Marathon Runner and was a fan of the Chicago Bulls and Bears. In spite of losing his voice he recently was able to sing to his wife "I Won't Complain." The last scripture he shared with her was II Timothy 4:7&8 "I have fought a good fight; I have finished my race, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge shall give me at that day..."

Pastor Wilson is survived by his wife Earnett, four children, Philip Wilson, Thomas Earl Wilson, Deborah J. Wilson and Daphne M. Wilson, Essie M. Howard, who he raised as his daughter, 19 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, one brother Curtis Wilson, one sister Barbara J. Monden, and nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held on Monday, May 9 from 9:00 a.m. until the time of a funeral service at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel at Calvary Church, 9S200 Route 59, in Naperville, IL. Interment will follow at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, IL.

Memorials may be directed to Calvary Church or New Jerusalem Lord's House of Prayer in Chicago.

Further information and guest book is avialable at christianfuneralservices.com or call 630-668-0027.