Ray "Black Buffalo" Wilson

Ray "Black Buffalo" Wilson, 88, went home to be with his Lord on Wednesday, January 31, 2018 in St. Luke's Hospital, Duluth.  He was born in Torrance, California on August 27, 1929 to Roy and Ethel Wilson.  Ray whom was very proud of his Native American Heritage was an enrolled member in the Cowlitz Tribe located in Washington State and had acquired his Native name at birth.  He grew up in California during the depression and lived where his Dad could find work.  Ray met Priscilla for the first time prior to serving in the Marines but it wasn't until he came back from serving his country and saw that the girl he met had grown into a beautiful bride to be.  They were married on April 15, 1950 in Compton, CA.  Ray loved people, but Jesus was his passion and he spent his entire life sharing that passion with everyone he could.  He went witnessing door to door sharing Jesus's love.  Ray's brother was pioneering a church in Oregon, so Ray and Priscilla moved to Oregon to help with the church.  During this time, Ray worked at a sawmill and helped clear the land for Interstate Hwy 5.  They later moved to Grants Pass, OR where Ray fixed cars, helped churches in the area, and began full time pastoring at the Assembly of God Church.  Ray's vision began to grow as he started full time traveling with his family ministering and sharing the love of Jesus.  This journey of Kid's Crusades, Revivals, Services at Reservations, Black Buffalo Trails with North American Indian Ministries, Black Buffalo's Pow Wow, Four Square Indian Ministries, and many other affiliations led Ray throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and 66 different countries and writing over 21 books.  Everyone was special to Ray whom used his great communication skills to see many needs in the world as he ministered and then would make sure those needs were given attention.  He left an amazing legacy of his love and passions with the people he touched.

Ray was preceded in death by his sister, Annetta.

He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 67 years, Priscilla "Singing Water"; 4 children: Eldon "Ray, Jr." (Gayle) Wilson; Linda (Gordon) Warriner of Dawson Creek, British Columbia; Ethel (Jerry) Gill of Sturgeon Lake; Raelene (Donald "Bo") Bogle of Las Vegas, NV; 20 grandchildren; 26 great grandchildren with another expected in May; 2 great great granddaughters; 2 brothers: George and Roy; and numerous friends throughout the world.

A Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, February 7, 2018 at 11 am in West Side Church, 4496 Walczak Road, Kettle River, MN followed by burial in West Side Cemetery, Kettle River.  A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Friday, February 16, 2018 at 1:00 PM at the New Hope Foursquare Church, 4963 Swegle Road NE, Salem, Oregon.

One of the last things Black Buffalo talked to his family about was that he would like to get a letter out to raise enough support to purchase land for a children's home in Luweero, Uganda.  In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to be made to the Black Buffalo Global Missions at blackbuffalo.org or checks can be sent to BBGM, PO Box 280, Silverton, OR  97381.

Arrangements by Hamlin-Hansen-Kosloski Funeral Home, Moose Lake, MN.