Terry Wilson, longtime former Lewis County coroner, U.S. Navy corpsman and Vietnam veteran, will receive a memorial service in his honor later this month.
Wilson died Nov. 16 at the age of 78 “after a long battle with cancer,” according to his obituary.
The memorial service is scheduled for 11 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 20 at Mountain View Baptist Church in Centralia. A reception and lunch will follow.
Arrangements are under the care of Newell-Hoerling’s Mortuary.
Wilson, who was born in Billings, Montana, served as the Lewis County coroner for 28 years, from 1982 to 2010.
“He had a positive impact on the lives of many people,” current Lewis County coroner Warren McLeod told The Chronicle on Dec. 5. “He will certainly be missed.”
Lewis County Sheriff Rob Snaza, who was first elected in 2014, joined the sheriff’s office in 1995 as a patrol deputy. Despite knowing Wilson “very little,” Snaza said the former coroner “cared about his community.”
“Terry was very well known and everyone who came across him found him to be a very likable and caring individual,” Snaza told The Chronicle on Dec. 8, adding that Wilson “did a great job” running the coroner’s office and “will be truly missed.”
Wilson also worked as a physician assistant for Chehalis-based Steck Medical Group for over 20 years, according to the clinic’s website.
“It is with great sadness that we share the passing of our dear friend and provider Terry Wilson,” Steck Medical Group wrote on Facebook Nov. 17. “Terry lived his life with a steadfast devotion to the Lord, and his faith guided every interaction, every decision, and every moment of care he gave.”
As a Navy corpsman, Wilson served in the Vietnam War with the Marine Corps, deploying in 1968. He was awarded the Cross of Gallantry for heroic conduct during combat.
In 2023, The Chronicle reported that Wilson, then 76, was battling cancer due to exposure to Agent Orange while serving in Vietnam.
He was also a member of the Centralia Rotary Club and, according to his obituary, attended mission trips in Mexico and Amsterdam.
Wilson requested that donations be made to the Lewis County Gospel Mission in his memory, in order to help the organization purchase a walk-in freezer.
“His love for God and gift for medical practice led him to the Lewis County Gospel mission, serving people in need of a loving touch and the knowledge of Jesus Christ,” the obituary reads. “He loved and gave his all and cared deeply for his patients.”
To view Wilson’s memorial page, visit https://newellhoerlings.com/obituaries/terry-wilson-nov-2025.
