San Jose

Charles Bruce Wilson passed away peacefully on March 18, 2025 at the age of 92. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends. Born on August 2, 1932 at Parks Victory Hospital, a 4th generation Napan to his parents Francis Brooks Wilson, Sr., and Dorothy Marion McKenzie Wilson Madigan.

Siblings: Francis Brooks Wilson, Jr., Nancy Conkright Courtney, Mary Donohoe, Helen Smernes, all predeceased.

Nieces and Nephews: Bruce Conkright, Carolyn Hancock (deceased), Patrick Conkright, Mary Ellen Moskowite, Susan Blevins (deceased), Thomas Donohoe, Diane Williamson (deceased), Margaret Donohoe, Janice Magana (deceased), Jeanne Godwin, and Daniel (Nick) Smernes.

Born and raised in Napa.

He preferred to be called Bruce. Bruce attended St.

John’s Catholic School, class of 1947. Napa Union High School, class of 1951.

Chico State College, 1951-1953, 1956-1958. San Jose State University 1958-1962 with a BS degree in civil engineering in 1962, also MS degree in civil engineering in1968.

Military Service: U.S. Army, July 1953-July 1955, Pfc Chemical Corps, served in Germany.

Career: Supervising Civil Engineer, Santa Clara Valley Water District 1962-1995, 32 years. A member of the American Society of Civil Engineers.

San Jose State University Alumni Association, Spartan Foundation, and a parishioner in the Holy Spirit Catholic Church.

President of Cobb Mountain Hunting Club, 30 years. Editor of ARDE- FACTS (Santa Clara Valley Water District retirement group newsletter), 10 years. Pioneer Award, Santa Clara Valley Water District.

Hobbies: 49er season ticket holder for 50 years, attended Super Bowl XVI in Detroit, and never missed a 49er home game in which Joe Montana started. He was a San Jose State Spartan football season ticket holder for 45years.

Bruce enjoyed crossword puzzles, vegetable gardening, photography, memoir and essay writing, collector of movie DVDs, having morning coffee at Maple Leaf Donut Shop in Almaden Valley with his friends, and monthly lunch with professional colleagues from the Santa Clara Valley Water District.

A Funeral Mass will be held at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 960 Caymus Street, Napa, CA on Monday, April 7, at 1pm.

Committal service and crypt placement to follow at Tulocay Cemetery, 411 Coombsville Road, Napa, CA at 2pm. Celebration of Life to follow.

Memories and notes of sympathy maybe shared at claffeyandrota.com.