Owen Estel Wilson was born on March 7, 1910 to James Cleve and Emma Lealer Bedsaul Wilson who lived in Cherry Lane, North Carolina. He was the older of two children. His father was a farmer.
Owen attended high school for two years. He moved to Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania sometime between 1920 and 1940. He married Vivian Georgia, and worked for the Matthew Denning Company.
Owen entered service in the Army on January 31, 1944. He served with the 351st Infantry the 2nd Infantry Regiment, 5th Infantry Division.
Private Owen Estel Wilson was killed In action on November 16, 1944 in Germany. He war originally buried in France, but his remains were returned home in 1948 and buried at the Longwood Cemetery in Kennett Square.