Howard High School Alumni
Ellicott City, Maryland (MD)
Wayne MacArthur Wilson Obituary (1957 - 2024)
Born Sep 04, 1957, Wayne MacArthur Wilson attended Howard High School in Ellicott City, MD. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Wayne Macarthur Wilson.
| Graduation Year | Class of 1975 |
| Date of Birth | Sep 04, 1957 |
| Date of Passing | Mar 10, 2024 |
| About | Professional Football Player. For nine seasons (1979 to 1987), he played at the fullback position in the National Football League with the New Orleans Saints, Minnesota Vikings and Washington Redskins. Born Wayne MacArthur Wilson, he attended Howard High School in Maryland and played collegiate football at Shepard College. Selected by the Houston Oilers during the 12th round of the 1979 NFL Draft, he totaled 111 career regular season games. Along with Heisman Trophy winner George Rogers, Wilson formed a highly-effective ground attack with New Orleans. In 1983, he produced career-highs with 787 rushing yards and 9 rushing touchdowns. Additionally, he served as a dependable special teams player on kickoff returns. He experienced a Super Bowl winning season (1987) with the Washington Redskins. After retiring as a player, he served as an assistant coach at Shepard College. The Shepherd University Department of Athletics is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Hall of Famer Wayne Wilson on March 10 . Wilson, a member of the inaugural Shepherd Athletic Hall of Fame class in 1986, was a running back for the Rams from 1975-78, playing under Coach Walter Barr '62. Wilson was named to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletic (NAIA) All-America team in 1978. Wilson also participated in track and field as a freshman and sophomore. ''Unfortunately, I must inform you that Wayne Wilson, a former Shepherd Football alumnus, has passed away.," stated Shepherd head football coach Ernie McCook in a Facebook post. "Wayne was an outstanding man who demonstrated excellent skills as a player at Shepherd and attained remarkable accomplishments in the NFL. He was also a wonderful mentor to the Shepherd players that he coached. Our condolences go out to his family and friends. Coach Wilson will be greatly missed." In 1979, Wilson was about five credits short of graduation when he was picked by the Houston Oilers in the 12th round of the NFL draft, returning to Shepherd after his first season to finish his degree. He spent nine years playing professional football for the Oilers, New Orleans Saints, Minnesota Vikings, and Washington Redskins. Wilson is 12th on the all-time rushing list with the New Orleans Saints, the team he played for from 1979-86. After retiring from the NFL, Wilson spent 13 years working for the City of Baltimore, running a program for kids ages 13-18 who were committed to the department of juvenile justice. After leaving that job, his path once again led him to Shepherdstown where for 11 years he helped coach the Ram football team. Wilson served as coach for the running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends, including in 2015 when the Rams made it to the national championship game. Wilson was a volunteer football coach for the Rams from 2006 to 2016. "Wayne Wilson was an outstanding student-athlete at Shepherd and more than proved his ability to play in the NFL," said former Shepherd head football coach Monte Cater. "At the end of his playing career he entered the coaching ranks at both the high school and back here at Shepherd in the college ranks. He was a most valuable member of my staff for a number of years and helped us maintain a very successful tradition. He had a great influence on countless young men and will be greatly missed." |
| Events | A service was held on Thursday, March 28. A wake was scheduled for 10 a.m. with a service at 11 a.m. at Columbia Community Church, 8516 Thomas William Way, Columbia, Maryland, 21045. |
Barbara Morris '84 posted a photo:
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