Résumé

Draftsman, John I. Mattson, Architect, Seattle, WA, 1940-1941; Draftsman, The Boeing Company, Seattle, WA, 1941-1945; United States Army service, 1945-1946; Designer/Associate, John I. Mattson, Architect, Seattle, WA, 1946-1950; in Mattson's office at this time, Wilson functioned as "...his chief designer, draftsman, and specification writer." (See Michael Houser, Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, "Donald M. Wilson," accessed 11/30/2016.) As noted by Houser, Wilson obtained his architect's license in the State of WA on 07/06/1950.

Principal, Donald Malcolm Wilson, Architect, Seattle, WA, 1951-1957. Wilson operated from an office at 107 Cherry Street (Office #815) in 1951; he had a space at 1506 11th Avenue, Seattle, from 1953-1954. In 1955, he worked from an office at 1 Dravus Street, Seattle; in 1957, he worked at 605 Bell Street, Seattle.

Michael Houser has written that Wilson developed a patented modular building method for the Truss-Plus Company in the 1960s. He wrote: "Company records from the Truss-Plus LLC Modular Structures Company notes that Wilson designed for them their patented “Arch-Truss System.” The building system incorporates a stud wall and roof truss in an easy to assemble folding roof frame system, designed to be used for sheds and small structures. While the exact date of this invention is unknown, it appears that Wilson created the unique building system in the mid-1960s." (See DOCOMOMO WeWA, "Wilson, Donald M. (1920 - )," accessed 11/30.2016.)

High School/College

Graduate, Cleveland High School, Seattle, WA, 1938. At Cleveland High School, Wilson was a member of the "Stage Force" (probably a drama-related group to which he belonged sophomore through senior years) intramural sports (four years), the football team (junior and senior years), track team (senior year), Boy's Club (four years) and was the Ski Club President (senior year). (See Cleveland High School Yearbook, 1938, p. 20.)

Coursework, University of Washington, Seattle, WA.

Relocation

Born in Camas, WA, Donald Wilson lived at 328 Brandon Street in Seattle, with his mother, Lillian B. Ballard, in 1930. She worked as a housekeeper for Tom Benson, a laborer who worked with livestock according to the US Census of that year. Four people resided in a $20-a-month house, including a six-year-old boy, Robert Sieg, who was related to either Benson or Ballard. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1930; Census Place: Seattle, King, Washington; Roll: 2503; Page: 29A; Enumeration District: 0199; Image: 218.0; FHL microfilm: 2342237, accessed 11/30/2016.)

Donald attended high school in Seattle, and at least one year at the University of Washington. He worked in the City of Seattle until at least 1950.

While he lived primarily in the Puget Sound region for most of his life, he apparently moved to AK c. 1975, perhaps for work. (See the AIA Historical Directory of American Architects: ahd1048876, accessed 11/30/2016.)

Later in his life, he resided at 11416 105th Avenue SW, Apartment #G10, Tacoma, WA, 98498-6854.

Wilson died in 1997, and was buried at the Acacia Memorial Park in Seattle.

Parents

His father was Zynn M. Wilson, his mother, Lillian B. Fuller. The 1930 US Census recorded that Lillian married at age 19.

Spouse

He married Betty Lee James Gettle (born 03/23/1923 in Hambleton, WV-d. 04/23/2007 in Tacoma, WA) on 09/23/1971 in King County. He was 51 at the time, she, 48.

Biographical Notes

SSN: 532146838.

• Camas, WA (Architect's Birth)
  Camas, WA

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• Tacoma, WA (Architect's Death)
  Tacoma, WA

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