Paul Charles Wilson

Paul Charles Wilson, of Marion, Iowa, passed away on July 22, 2026, at age 54. A celebration of life is being planned for the near future. Announcement will be posted on Facebook. Our lovable, sweet, Paul Charles Wilson, passed from this world on July 22, 2026. Paul’s life was cut way too short when he was taken from us by metastatic pancreatic cancer at the age of 54. Paul is survived by his wife Ashley, sons Brecken and Wyatt Cassady, brother Wayne Wilson, sister Amy Wilson-Novak (Mike), mother-in-law Kelly Ross (Marty), sister-in-law Kiley Odegard (Wade). Paul is also survived by a special Goddaughter (Harmony), and many special nieces and nephews. Last, but certainly not least, Paul is survived by eight cats, which is one more than they were legally allowed, per his mother-in-law in his wedding vows. Paul was preceded in death by his parents Gail and Paul Wilson, sister-in-law Malissa Anderson, and many other special relatives. The first chapter of Paul’s life was spent on the West side of Cedar Rapids, where he attended Harrison Elementary, Roosevelt Middle, and Jefferson High Schools. To say Paul was an active participant in life is an understatement. He started working...[more]

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g young, riding his bike to deliver the Penny Saver. He worked at the Elks Lodge as a cook, and working bingo. Growing up in the Timecheck Neighborhood, everyone wanted to hang out with Paul. He and his friends spent hours playing in the river, fishing, tubing, riding bikes (all the way to Westdale Mall!), and causing more than their fair share of mischief. Paul’s friends can attest to the elaborate tales of adventures by the Cedar River, adventures that will now be cemented as treasured memories. After Paul graduated in 1990, he bartended at his mom’s bar, called Nobody’s Perfect, in Czech Village. The bar became a really important place for Paul, as it allowed him to enjoy music and libations with family and friends. He even continued to work at the bar while also working days at City Carton (now known as Republic Services). At around this time in his life, Paul began to realize that his partying was becoming problematic. He knew that in order to get sober and clean, he had to put some miles between him and the past. He left Cedar Rapids behind in roughly 2009. The second chapter of Paul’s life was spent in Rock Island, the place he chose to rebuild himself as a sober person. He worked as a forklift driver for Jacobson Warehousing (now known as Matcon). In this chapter of life, he opened his heart to help care for a friend’s daughter, Lilly Merritt-Smith. Paul had an impactful, nurturing relationship with young Lilly, as he helped raise her for the first six years of her life. This experience paved the way for his next chapter. Chapter three brought Paul from Rock Island back to his roots in Cedar Rapids, after meeting Ashley in January of 2016, through the Plenty of Fish app. There was an instant connection, and they fell for each other, hook, line and sinker. The couple moved in together May of 2016. It was a highlight of Paul’s life to accept and love Ashley’s children, Brecken and Wyatt. In 2019, he became “Pop-Pop” to his goddaughter, Harmony. Paul and Ashley were married October 10, 2020, at the height of Covid. The relationship was full of comedic moments (many of them naughty, some of them gross), all of them special and none of them dull. Although Paul could be a diva, he treated his wife like a queen. He was a diehard Dallas Cowboys fan and a staunch UFC supporter. Paul was a card shark, and he earned the nickname “The Dam” playing games of “Sets & Runs” with family. He loved to play bingo. He loved fishing and rocking out with friends. He was an ice cream fiend with a problematic sweet tooth. He was called “Big Cup” because of his addiction to drinking Diet Mountain Dew out of his GIANT 64 oz BIG CUP. He was working his way up to the 100 oz size. Paul lived life at his own pace and on his own terms (as long as Ashley approved). With vape in-hand, Paul was known to talk your ear off, and he never knew a stranger. He loved hard and played hard. He was generous to a fault. He would give you the shirt off his back or his last dollar, without hesitation. We were so lucky to have had him in our lives. He will be sorely missed. For pet safety, in lieu of flowers, donations may be mailed to the family at the following address: Ashley Wilson 2250 Country Club Drive Marion, IA 52302