Longtime Publisher Jim Wilson Passes at 92, Leaving Legacy of Service

Jim Wilson, the retired publisher of the Hawaii Tribune-Herald, passed away on the morning of October 6, 2023, at his home in Volcano, Hawaii. He was 92 years old. Wilson had battled post-polio syndrome in recent years and had received treatment at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. His wife, Audrey Wilson, shared that he had been in hospice care for the past week prior to his death.

Audrey Wilson reflected on her husband’s deep commitment to the community, stating, “He was a good man, and he was always concerned about the community. He was always there whenever anyone asked, and he was a good listener. His involvement in the community meant everything to him.”

Born on October 11, 1933, in Boswell, Oklahoma, Wilson faced significant challenges early in life. At just 15, he contracted polio during an outbreak in 1949. His wife recounted, “There were four people in his community that got it, and I think two passed away — one ended up in an iron lung. Jim spent the year in the hospital.”

Wilson graduated from Chandler High School and went on to earn dual bachelor’s degrees in journalism and business from Oklahoma State University. He began his career in 1962 with Donrey Media Group, which later became Stephens Media Group. Initially, he worked as an advertising sales representative at the Las Vegas Review-Journal before moving to the Hawaii Tribune-Herald in 1967 as the advertising sales manager.

In 1973, Wilson became the general manager and was later designated as publisher. He held this position until his retirement in 2002, completing nearly four decades of service with the company. His tenure was marked by his willingness to critique local officials through a publisher’s column, advocating for transparency and accountability in government.

In 2014, Wilson sought to apply his advocacy skills in a new way by running for the County Council’s District 6 seat. He stated, “As a newspaper, we spent a lot of time criticizing. It’s time to put up or shut up.” Despite his efforts, he finished third in the primary election.

Wilson’s dedication to community service extended far beyond his role as a publisher. He was inducted into the Hawaii Publishers Association Hall of Fame and served as its past president. He also established the Pa‘i Awards to honor excellence in journalism across the state. His leadership roles included past president of the Society of Professional Journalists-Hawaii and founding member of the Pacific Tsunami Museum.

Marlene Murray, former executive director of the Pacific Tsunami Museum, highlighted Wilson’s impact: “Through difficult periods, Jim’s leadership and unwavering commitment were instrumental in keeping the museum alive.” Wilson’s connection to the museum was deeply personal, as his wife’s family had been affected by the devastating tsunami of April 1, 1946.

Former President Joe Biden recognized Wilson with the President’s Volunteer Service Award, which will be presented posthumously in March 2024 during a ceremony at the Pacific Tsunami Museum.

Wilson’s extensive list of community activities included leadership roles within the Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce, Destination Hilo, and the Volcano Art Center. His commitment to serving others was evident in his work with organizations such as the Rotary Club of South Hilo and the Big Island Substance Abuse Council.

Current publisher and editor of the Tribune-Herald, David Bock, expressed profound admiration for Wilson, stating, “Jim was a generous and tireless advocate for the community, both as publisher and well after retirement. He never stopped caring and serving.”

Traveling the world was another passion for Wilson and his wife. Audrey, who served as the Tribune-Herald’s food columnist, cherished their adventures together. “I told him that without you, I would never have traveled to Paris and Italy and Hong Kong and Africa,” she recalled.

Wilson is survived by his wife, Audrey, as well as sons Alex DeVilbiss, Reid Shigeoka, and Dean Shigeoka, along with grandchildren Whitney, Paige, Quentin, and Artemis Bassett. He was preceded in death by one son, Eric DeVilbiss.

A celebration of Wilson’s life is being planned for January 10, 2024, at the Hilo Meishoin Mission. His legacy as a community advocate and mentor will be remembered by many, ensuring that his contributions to Hawaii will endure.