WHEREAS, Donald Lee Wilson of Manassas, a passionate historian and genealogist who helped countless Northern Virginia residents research their family heritage, died on March 6, 2023; and

WHEREAS, Donald "Don" Lee Wilson grew up in Anderson, Indiana, and served his country as a member of the United States Air Force after graduating from high school; he subsequently earned a bachelor's degree in history from Ball State University and a master's degree in library sciences from Indiana University; and

WHEREAS, Don Wilson began his career in 1970 as a reference librarian at Oxon Hill Library in Prince George's County, Maryland; he relocated to the Commonwealth in September 1979 and became a fixture at libraries in Manassas and Prince William County; and

WHEREAS, Don Wilson played an instrumental role in countless research projects on old homes, cemeteries, events, roads, and local families; he was known as the "tree doctor" for his willingness to lend his knowledge and experience to visitors in need of help building their family trees; and

WHEREAS, Don Wilson also provided his leadership and expertise to several historical groups, including the Historic Resources Board of the Manassas Museum, Historic Prince William, and the Prince William County Historical Commission; and

WHEREAS, in addition, Don Wilson supported the Prince William Little Theatre and performed a number of roles in its productions; and

WHEREAS, outside of his career, Don Wilson was dedicated to researching his own family's genealogy and kept extensive records in spiral-bound notebooks and small cue cards handwritten in his exceptional penmanship; and

WHEREAS, Don Wilson will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his siblings and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Donald Lee Wilson, a historical researcher and genealogist; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Donald Lee Wilson as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for his memory.