A Voice from the Mission Inn: Ormonde Wilson's Journey from Watchman to War Hero

Following World War I, Frank A. Miller of the Mission Inn honored veterans who had served in the war and had a connection to the Inn. On February 1, 1919, Miller entertained many of those veterans in the refectory at the Mission Inn with a banquet and a program of toasts and recollections of the soldiers' experiences. Seventy-five people attended the banquet, including the Miller family and the guests, and were seated at tables decorated with the national colors. Musical selections entertained the guests during dinner. Fifteen veterans were honored in a "Heroes of the Mission Inn Banner" displayed at the Inn. One of these heroes was Ormonde Wilson, a gentleman of African American descent.

Ormonde Reeves Wilson was born on March 11, 1893, in Atlantic City, New Jersey. His father was G. H. Wilson. Nothing more is known of his early life. By 1915, Ormonde was living in the Eastside of Riverside at 443 E. Tenth Street and was listed as an auto operator or a chauffeur. Also employed at the Mission Inn, he worked as a night watchman and was a popular tenor soloist in the Music Room. One night, while on duty as a watchman for the Inn, his motorcycle was stolen but was quickly recovered by the police after they noticed a license plate that had been sloppily changed from P-936 to B-986.

Ormonde had the privilege of singing a solo at the special Memorial Service held in the Cloister Music Room at the Mission Inn for the great educator, Booker T. Washington. Frank Miller planned the tribute, invited the community to honor Washington, and held the service on the evening of Washington's funeral, which was held at Tuskegee Institute. Wilson sang "Pass It On" in what an attendee stated was a sweet tenor enjoyed by all.

During World War I, Ormonde Wilson joined the United States Army and was sent to Fort Lewis, Washington, for training. He was a member of the 812th Pioneer Infantry, a unit primarily composed of African Americans. They were trained to clear and construct roads and bridges. Because of their dangerous positions, they were also trained in infantry tactics and combat. Ormonde was unable to attend the banquet sponsored by Frank Miller honoring World War I heroes, but Captain John Allen spoke on his behalf.

By 1920, Wilson was living in Oakland and, in December of that year, married Gertrude Pulliam. The couple had a son, Ormonde Reeves Wilson, Jr., born on August 28, 1920, in Oakland. This marriage lasted until February 1934, when the newspaper announced their divorce. Wilson later married Carrie M. Wilson.

A humorous account involving Wilson appeared in the August 13, 1949, issue of the Oakland Tribune sports page. Ormonde was one of the four umpires for the Tribune Amateur Baseball Tournament. In a game between Ben's Golden Glow and Hernandez Market, the umpires received a workout as a hot argument, a protest, and a fistfight broke out during the seventh inning. The umpires brought everything under control, and the game was concluded.

He died on June 3, 1963, and, fitting his status as a World War I veteran, is buried in Golden Gate National Cemetery. He was survived by his wife, Carrie, and his son, Ormonde. As we observe Black History Month, we remember Ormonde Reeves Wilson, a World War I veteran and one-time resident of Riverside.