Bryan Station High School graduate and WWII veteran celebrates 108th birthday

Apr. 26—Monday was a big day for Central Kentucky native and World War II veteran Chester Edgar Wilson. He turned 108 years old.

Wilson, who lives at the Thomson-Hood Veterans Center in Wilmore, was born in Lexington and graduated from the old Bryan Station High School, where he played baseball, the Navy said in a news release announcing his birthday.

He also played for a team called the Versailles Aristocrats and worked as a caddy for Lexington Country Club.

Wilson married Margaret Dozier and was 29 when he was drafted into the Navy in December 1943. He served as a pharmacist's mate third class aboard the U.S.S. Benevolence, a hospital ship that cared for thousands of prisoners of war in the Pacific. The Benevolence was in Tokyo Bay on Victory over Japan Day on Sept. 2, 1945.

The Navy said in its release that Wilson "often refers to himself as working as a nurse during his time on the ship."

After he was honorably discharged in December 1945, Wilson worked as a storekeeper and tax collector for the federal government until he retired at age 62, according to the Navy. He was a deacon for years at Versailles Baptist Church and was also a Mason.

In retirement, he stayed active and played golf until he was 90, the Jessamine Journal reported last year, when he was celebrating his 107th birthday.

When asked what he believe the secret to longevity is, Wilson said, "minding your own business," the Navy said in its news release.

His daughter, Brenda, 81, pays him regular visits at Thomson-Hood, and he is "adored by staff" there, the Navy said.

The facility shared a post on Facebook in which it said Wilson received about 1,800 birthday cards 36 states, as well as England and Germany, this year.

"He had the BIGGEST smile when he saw the cards and said to tell everyone thank you very much," the post stated. "We look forward to reading him his cards every day and reminding him how much he is loved."

This story was originally published April 26, 20225:42 PM.

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