Wilson Forbes was born in Moynalty, county Meath, Ireland on September 14, 1922 on the farm where he grew up. He emigrated to England after World War II and worked at repairing tractors and farm machinery. In 1950 Wilson emigrated to North Dakota where he was in the ministry for 6 years. Following that he went to Minot State College and became a teacher, teaching four years in North Dakota and Montana before receiving a grant from the National Science Foundation for a year of graduate studies. He then moved to Happy Camp and stayed the rest of his life.

Wilson married Helen Houkom on December 24, 1960 (55 years) and they have three children.: Kathleen (Ron) Johnson, Craig (Twila) Forbes, and Ken (Janel) Forbes. Kathleen preceded him in death in 2006. Wilson and Helen have 10 grandchildren. At services October 1st his grandchildren, Kyler & Rachel Forbes, Jayden Forbes, Kade Forbes, Alex Forbes, Zachary Forbes and Riley Forbes sang, “Oh Love That Will Not Let Me Go!”

Wilson was the science teacher at Happy Camp High School from 1965 to 1980, and during evenings and weekends he built the house that is still the family home.

After retiring from teaching he became a master craftsman, making beautiful furniture and moved on to designing and making concrete garden beds and chicken tractors. Through the years he had an amazing garden and he was never happier than when he had baskets of produce to share with others.

From a young age he submitted to the will of God in his life always seeking to follow the teachings of Jesus.  this was the guiding light of his life. He passed from this life into eternity in the home he had built, surrounded by loving friends and family on September 21, 2016. He will be dearly missed by many.