John W. "Rocky" Wilson, 74, departed this life on April 23, 2017 after a lengthy illness with his wife by his side.

John Whalen was born and raised in Steubenville on July 11, 1942 to John "Stoney" and Billie Wilson. John was better known to everyone as "Rocky"; "Sluggo" by his sister & "Papa" by his grandchildren & great grandchildren.

He graduated from Steubenville Big Red and went on to attend Edward Waters College, a HBCU in Florida. At Edwards, he became a member of Kappa Alpha Psi, Incorporated. He also attended the University of Akron for a short time.

Rocky retired from General Motors as a Reliability Engineering after 30 years of service. He truly enjoyed traveling. He traveled as much as he could prior to his illness. His favorite place to visit was Las Vegas where he loved playing poker. After his retirement, Rocky enjoyed cooking and trying new recipes. He also enjoyed being with his grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Stoney & Billie, his daughters Teresa & Amee and his sister, Kim Lewis.

He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife of almost 40 years and constant companion, Dorathy; his children, Freddie Smith, California; Diana Lynn Drake, Steubenville, Timothy Johnson, Steubenville and Mexie Wilson, Akron. Also his stepchildren, Juaquene Donnie and Kimberly Hall (Theron) of Akron; 17 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren; a sister Barbara Ann Wilson, Cincinnati and brother, Harry E. Wilson, Philadelphia; nieces Gail Wilson and Lori Lewis of Cincinnati, nephews Kent R. Lewis II, Mingo Jct. and Christopher Smith, Columbus, OH; a host of other relatives and friends.


Humbly submitted by,

The family of John "Rocky" Wilson