Wilson, James R. "Dick" VALATIE James R. "Dick" Wilson, age 86, died May 1, 2012 after a long battle with kidney failure. He was born and raised in central New York graduating from Jordan High School in 1943. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the Pacific theatre and later in the occupation of Japan in 1945. He was employed as a toll collector by the NYS Thruway Authority in 1954 and in 1969 promoted to director of toll collection which he served as until his retirement in 1985. He was a member of a number of military and fraternal organizations including the Masons, the Shrine Club, the American Legion, the Elks Club and the Veterans of Foreign Wars serving in many offices. In the Masons he was Master of the Cato Lodge 141 in 1968 and the Valatie Lodge # 362 in 1998. He became a member of the Cyprus Shrine in 1973 and rose through the offices to Potentate of Cyprus Shrine in 1992. In 2000, he was appointed district grand lecturer of the Eastern Star for the Columbia Dutchess Putnam District after being patron of Eda Chapter #459 in Kinderhook. Dick was also past commander of American Legion Post #1127 in Jordan and LeBuff-Cole Post 911 in Cato. He was also a life member of the VFW post in Stuyvesant Falls. He is survived by his three sons, Mark (Nancy), East Greenbush, David (Stephanie), Portland, Maine and Ken (Kim) Enfield, Conn. He is also survived by nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his true love of 60 years his wife, Vernona (2009) and his first son, Rick (1984). A memorial service will be held at St. Paul's Church, 6 Silvester St., Kinderhook on Sunday at 3 p.m. with a reception following at the McNary Center. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Shriner's Children's Hospital, 516 Caren St., Springfield MA 01104.