Nathan Wilson, Sr., was born form the union of Mable Gardner and Houston Wilson on September 6, 1957 in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. He was the youngest of four boys in this family.



He grew up in Okmulgee, under the direction of his parents, after the passing of his parents, Nathan was reared by his oldest brother, Chester Lee Cole. Nathan attended Okmulgee Public Schools, where he earned the nickname "Big Nate." In school, he was involved in Track, gaining notoriety for throwing the shot putt and the discus; he was also on the football team, where he would often express to his family and friends that in 1975, the Mighty, Mighty Bulldogs won the State Championship and there hasnt' been one since. Nathan loved football and he even wanted his daughter to play. He won several trophies and awards for his athletic performances that made him so proud.



After graduation from Okmulgee High School with the Class of 1976, Nathan attended Southeastern State University in Durant, Oklahoma, where he earned a degree in Physical Education. For several years, Nathan held various jobs, including substitute teaching and factory work. He lived in Texas for 22 years before returning to Okmulgee in 1997.



Nathan married Juanita Keel in 2003 and from this union, a daughter, Sharnita NaKaye Wilson was born. He was a member of Conversion Ministries under the pastoral guidance of Reverend Gregory Richardson.



In his 57th year, Nathan "Big Nate" Wilson, Jr., scored the "ultimate Victory, in Jesus" on October 8, 2014 from Muscogee Creek Nation Medical Center in Okmulgee. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mable Gardner and Houston Wilson, and a brother, Chester Lee Cole.



He leaves to cherish his memory; his wife, Juanita Keel-Wilson, of the home in Okmulgee; a daughter, Sharnita NaKaye "Neko" Wilson; a son, Nathan Wilson, Jr., Irving, Texas [and his mother, Katherine Whittaker-Wilson], a God-daughter, Garyriana Compton, Okmulgee; two step-sons, Christopher [Tylicee] Brown, Oklahoma City and Tye Brown, Okmulgee; two grandchildren, Christian and Taylor Brown; two brothers, Ronald Gardner and Richard Carl Powell, both of Okmulgee; his uncle, Johnny Smith, Sr.; along with a caravan of nieces, nephews, aunts, cousins and friends.

The Service of Memory for "Big Nate" will be on Saturday, October 18, 2014 at 10:00 A.M. in the Mount Zion Baptist Church. Burial will follow in the Northwest Cemetery in Okmulgee.

You may visit "Big Nate" on Friday from 12 Noon until 7:00 PM at the funeral home in Okmulgee.