History of Gretchen and Shelby Wilson
About Gretchen
Nancy “Gretchen” Cordell Wilson (born March 13, 1938) school teacher, proper lady from the south and the wife of Shelby Wilson. Without Gretchen, his life of servitude would not have come to complete fruition. She is the mother of his three daughters, the cheerleader that encouraged his passions, and the cook who served multitudes of people Shelby brought home.
The Wilson household was always full of laughter, people, counseling, prayer, love, wrestling instruction and the door was always opened to friends and strangers. Gretchen had patience for Shelby’s necessity to collect used appliances so that he may help someone in need. His necessity to always help people - on a daily basis - continued throughout his life. As a testament to their caring spirit for people which blossomed many honored friendships over the years, we decided to create this scholarship to honor their 60-years of marriage. we hope to honor their legacy.
About Shelby
Shelby Autrie Wilson (born July 14, 1937) is an American wrestler and Olympic champion. A native of Ponca City, Oklahoma, he was a two-time high school state tournament runner-up, and in college he was a two-time NCAA runner-up. At the 1960 Olympic Trials, he finished in second place. At the Olympic Training Camp he was challenged by the third and fourth place finishers. After defeating both men, he then defeated the first place man to make the 1960 Olympic team, along with his teammate Doug Blubaugh, from Ponca City, where they both won gold medals in Rome. He won Olympic Gold in the freestyle lightweight division. Prior to the Olympics, winning two big eight championships were his only other major championships. In 1961, he was the head coach and teacher at Ponca City high school. He later became a college wrestling coach at the University of Colorado in Boulder. He moved to Bloomington, Indiana where he reunited with Olympic teammate Doug Blubaugh at the Top of the World Sports Camp. He later coached and mentored kids for twenty years at Owen Valley Middle and High School in Spencer Indiana. At eighty five he still coaches and mentors wrestlers and coaches of all ages!
A man of solid Christian faith, he feels that Biblical Principals should be applied to daily life and this is what he continues to do.
Their Story
Shelby and Gretchen met and married in 1962 in Fort Worth Texas. In 1968 they would move to Boulder, Colorado, 1983, they move to Bloomington Indiana where they currently reside. They have three blood daughters, nine blood grandchildren and one blood great grandchild. We cannot count how many people call them mom, dad, grandma, grandpa and how many friends in the world they claim and claim them. Their life is so full.
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Can you say that about your life?
Wilson Family Wrestling Legacy
The Wilson Family wrestling legacy began with Shelby wrestling in Jr High, then high school at Ponca, then college at Oklahoma State, but both of Shelby's brothers, Doug and Steve wrestled, for Ponca and OSU winning State championships along with their children, Brent, Kent, Eric, Jody, Corey Wilson. Ponca City has been home to many Wilson family residents and we would like to give back to this supportive community.
Why the Scholarship
The goal of the Shelby and Gretchen Wilson Scholarship is to help students meet their academic goals. We are helping Ponca City Oklahoma high school seniors. The family set the scholarship up in the name of Shelby and Gretchen to respect and honor their legacy. The family wants to do this as a gift to them while they can see it come alive in their life time. If you have ever met either one of them, you would embrace them and thank them for all they have done for so many people.