David Andrew Wilson II Obituary (1944

David Andrew Wilson II was born 8 September 1944, in Los Angeles, CA, to Irene and David A. Wilson Sr. Dave and his family lived in Inglewood, Southern CA until he was 6, and then moved to Sacramento. Early on in his young life, he became interested in audio and music reproduction—specifically the science of loudspeaker design. It was at BYU that he met Sheryl Lee, who, at the time, needed Dave’s help with a recording project. Dave was instantly smitten and after some persistence on Dave’s part, the two began dating. They were married 6 September 1966. After finishing college, Dave and Sheryl Lee moved to Glendale, CA, where Sheryl Lee had been hired as a teacher. Dave worked on a master’s degree in molecular biology and subsequently began working for Pfizer, a pharmaceutical company. He next was offered a position in clinical research at Abbot Laboratories which required them to move to the small town of Waukegan, just north of Chicago, IL. After four years they wanted to move back to CA, which was facilitated by a transfer and then took a design position at Cutter Labs in Berkeley, CA. It was during this time that he learned and developed the protocols and procedures of the scientific process—a skillset that he would later use in the pursuit of his true academic and scientific love: loudspeaker design. Dave is best known for his principal leadership role at Wilson Audio Specialties, a high-end loudspeaker manufacturer he and Sheryl Lee co-founded in 1974. At first, Wilson Audio was an extension of Dave’s hobby, but eventually Sheryl Lee encouraged Dave to pursue his love and passion full-time. Dave was just as fascinated with the art and science of recording acoustical music as he was loudspeakers. Dave and Sheryl Lee formed Wilson Audiophile Definitive Recordings in 1977. Many of Dave’s 33 recordings, still available today in several formats, are heralded as among the most natural and lifelike of all time. Dave possessed an enormous intellect and was nearly encyclopedic in his ability to retain facts and information. His appetite for knowledge was insatiable. Dave was an avid reader and retained the information gleaned from his reading. Despite his unique talent and his enormous achievements, Dave was a deeply humble man. In reality, he was more at peace in the isolation of his Kanab ranch than in the hustle of large crowds. He enjoyed spending time there with Sheryl Lee, his children and grandchildren. Dave enjoyed sharing wonderful experiences with his family such as listening to music, scenic drives through Utah, precision long-range target shooting, hiking, macro photography, boating through the canyons of Lake Powell and meaningful conversations. He was a loving father and grandfather and found great satisfaction in teaching and mentoring his children and extended family. He adored his wife, Sheryl Lee, and often marveled how blessed and fortunate he was to have her in his life as his wife. Indeed, Dave often remarked on how lucky he was generally—he was married to his best friend, was able to do the work he most enjoyed and spent his life surrounded by the people he loved. For over 50 years Dave and Sheryl Lee were loving partners in all things: in parenthood, in business, and in life’s triumphs and challenges. Dave leaves behind 4 children (David III, Kevin, Daryl, and Deborah) and 15 grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, June 9, 2018 at the Oak Hills 5th Ward Chapel, 1960 North 1500 East, Provo, Utah. Friends may call at the Berg Mortuary of Provo, 185 East Center Street, Friday, June 8 from 6-8:00 p.m. and at the church Saturday from 9-10:30 a.m. prior to services. Interment, Provo City Cemetery. Condolences may be expressed at www.bergmortuary.com.