Jefferson “Jeff” Lewis Wilson of Williston, Vt., passed away unexpectedly on February 22, 2026, while traveling in Australia with lifelong friends.
Jeff’s life was defined by quiet kindness, steady devotion and a remarkable ability to make others feel valued simply by being in his presence. His passing leaves an immeasurable void in the lives of those who knew and loved him.
Jeff was born on August 17, 1960, in Kittery, Maine, to Luke Wilson and M. Hilda Wilson. He was predeceased by his parents and his older sister, Beth Allen.
Jeff’s greatest joy was his family. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Beth Ann (Bergeron) Wilson; his beloved son, Jackson; his brother, Rick Wilson of Nokomis, Fla.; and cherished nieces and nephews, including Luke Wilson Allen, Sarah Wilson Bolanos and Katie Lynn Wilson; as well as great-nieces and -nephews Lucia Bolanos, Lorenzo Bolanos, Reese Allen and Nolan Wilson. Nothing brought Jeff greater pride or happiness than time spent with his family and the lifelong friends he treasured deeply.
Jeff graduated in 1978 from R.W. Traip Academy, where he excelled in basketball, cross-country, football and track and field. He earned a bachelor of science in microbiology from the University of Maine at Orono in 1982 and was a proud member of Theta Chi fraternity. He later received a master’s degree in computer science from the University of Rhode Island in 1991. That same year, Jeff and Beth moved to Vermont, where he began a distinguished career at IDX in South Burlington as a product manager in laboratory systems. Throughout a career of more than 30 years in health care technology, Jeff helped advance electronic health record systems that made a lasting difference for patients and providers alike before retiring in May 2025.
Jeff will be remembered for his quiet strength, unwavering loyalty and extraordinary kindness. Soft-spoken yet deeply thoughtful, he never wasted words and never spoke unkindly of others. His wit and dry humor brought laughter to every gathering.
Jeff embraced life with curiosity and gratitude. He loved history, sailing, golfing, canoeing and spending time on the water, especially at the family’s beloved camp in Isle LaMotte. He could best anyone at trivia or charades and was always ready for an adventure.
Jeff’s legacy lives on in the love he shared, the lessons he quietly taught, and the countless lives he touched through his generosity and compassion. He will be profoundly missed and forever remembered — in stories, in laughter, on the water and in the hearts of all who were fortunate enough to know him.
Visiting hours for Jeff will be held on Thursday, March 12, 2026, 4 to 6 p.m., at Ready Funeral & Cremation Services, South Chapel, 261 Shelburne Rd., Burlington, VT. A memorial service will be held on Friday, March 13, 2026, 11 a.m., also at Ready Funeral & Cremation Services, South Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Champlain Housing Trust in Jeff’s name at getahome.org.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Ready Funeral & Cremation Services. To share memories and send online condolences to the family, please visit readyfuneral.com.
This article appears in March 4 • 2026.