George Patterson Wilson, 97, of Columbia, Missouri, passed away peacefully at home in the company of his wife, Roxanne Reed Wilson, on September 4, 2026.
George was born near McBaine, in Boone County, Missouri, to Clarence and Mary Williamson Wilson. He graduated from Columbia Hickman High School, completed his Bachelor of Science in Agriculture at the University of Missouri - Columbia, earned his Medical Doctor degree from Washington University in St. Louis, and completed his medical residency at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, specializing in radiology.
From 1961-1963, George served as General Medical Officer and Nuclear Safety Officer for the Northeast Region in the United States Navy at the Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland. He achieved the rank of Lieutenant Commande.
George was married to Suzanne Rowe Wilson from 1956 until her death in 2002. He married Roxanne Reed in 2006 and they recently celebrated their 20th anniversary.
After completing his military service, George returned to Columbia, Missouri and entered medical practice with Dr. Charles M. Waggoner. At the time, Waggoner & Wilson (later Waggoner, Wilson, & Blackwell) was one of few radiology practices serving Central Missouri. They practiced locally and at many regional hospitals, including Fayette, Fulton, Moberly, Marceline, and Mexico, Missouri, as well as running the Radiology Department at Ellis-Fischel State Cancer Research Hospital. Waggoner, Wilson, & Blackwell introduced mammography to Central Missouri and provided free screening to patients in need. George later earned his Certification in Nuclear Medicine to further enable cancer treatment therapies.
In 1972, George founded Columbia Regional Hospital with a group of nineteen local physicians, where he led the Radiology Department until his retirement. He achieved one of the highest honors in the profession when named a Fellow by The American College of Radiology. Thanks to his efforts, Columbia Regional Hospital became one of the first private hospitals in Missouri licensed to perform magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). After retirement, he worked part-time at the Veterans Administration (VA) Hospital.
Born and raised as a Boone County farmer, George retained the property around his childhood home and, with the aid of other local farmers, raised beef cattle and silage crops. When asked publicly, he always self-identified first as a Boone County farmer.While he enjoyed farming, woodworking, metal work, and all kinds of home and auto repairs, his passion was flying. He achieved ratings for visual, instrument, and multi-engine flying. His children remember weekends with dad as he logged flight practice hours and have vivid recollections of trips taken together in a very small airplane.
He was a member and officer in numerous organizations, including the American Medical Association, the Society of Nuclear Medicine, the American College of Radiology, the Missouri Radiological Society, Washington University Medical School Alumni, University of Missouri Alumni, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, and Sons of the American Revolution. He served the M. Graham Clark Chapter of the SAR as the 6th President in 1992 and 1993. George was also a long-time supporter of Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries.
George was preceded in death by his first wife, Suzanne, and step-grandson, Finneas Robert Flesner.
George will be deeply missed by his family: his wife, Roxanne Reed Wilson, step-daughter, K. Cheryl McKenzie (Jim Rettinger) of Albany, Oregon, daughter, Barbara Wilson (Michelle Fox) of Leawood, Kansas, son, Thomas Wilson (Lesley) of Austin, Texas, step-son, Shan Rich (Emily Rodhouse) of Columbia, step-daughter, Patricia Flesner (Andy) of Columbia, grandchildren, Suzanne Specker (Vince Mazzoni), Sarah Edging (Cole), Alexander Wilson, Caroline Wilson, and step-grandchildren, Aiyana Rich, Emery Rich, Ella Rich, and Margot Flesner.
Following a private graveside service at Columbia Cemetery, a celebration of life will be held at the Club at Old Hawthorne from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. on November 14, 2026.
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