Robert E. Wilson III, 87, of Franklin, IN and formerly of Zionsville, Lebanon and Rockville, IN passed away Thursday, May 26, 2022 at the Otterbein Franklin SeniorLife Community.  He was born March 3, 1935 in Scottsville, Kentucky.

He was the son of the late Robert E. Wilson II and Lucille (Britt) McCarty.

Robert married Beverly Joan (Viles) Wilson on September 29, 1956, at Traders Point Christian Church in Indianapolis, IN, she survives.

He worked at HyGrade Meat Packing Company for 13 years and then Marathon Oil Company, formerly Rock Island for 26 years as a supervisor.  He retired in 1993.

He was a United States Army Veteran having served from 1957 until 1959.

He was a member of Immanuel Southern Baptist Church in Rockville, IN and enjoyed playing golf with his buddies at the Rockville Golf Course.  His grandchildren were his greatest joy.

Together they had three children, Robin Gail Merlo (Zack) of Greenwood, IN, Tracey Ann Sexton (Larry) of Fishers, IN and Mark E. Wilson (Rhonda) of Charlestown, IN, his grandchildren Amanda Merlo, Joey Merlo, Kevin Sexton (Alisha), Scott Sexton (Grace), Josh Wilson and Ben Wilson, five beloved great-grandchildren, a brother Joe Wilson of Indianapolis, IN, a sister Sandra MacAfee of Albuquerque, New Mexico and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister Ramona McGuffey.

Reverend Mark Houvenagle will conduct a service on Wednesday, June 1, 2022 at 11AM at Swartz Family Community Mortuary and Memorial Center, 300 South U.S. 31 (Morton Street) in Franklin, IN with military honors being conducted by the United States Army Honor Guard and Franklin American Legion Post #205 Honor Guard and will be live-streamed at www.swartzmortuary.com .  Friends may call Wednesday, June 1, 2022 from 10AM until service time at the mortuary.

A graveside service will follow on Wednesday, June 1, 2022 at 2:30 P.M. at Memory Garden Cemetery on Lincoln Road (Highway 41) in Rockville, IN.

Memorial contributions may be made to International FOXP1 Foundation for the benefit of Robert's grandson Silas Grant Sexton at www.foxp1.org/memorial-donation.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.swartzmortuary.com .  Information 317-738-0202.