This Father’s Day will be a difficult one for the brotherly trio The Gap Band, whose father, Bishop Oscar W. Wilson, died from complications stemming from prostate cancer, according to Charlie Wilson’s reps.
Earlier this year, Charlie Wilson was also diagnosed with the disease and is currently in remission. A spokesperson for the Porstate Cancer Foundation, Charlie acknowledges his father’s influence on his family’s. “My father was an incredible man who had a profound effect on our family both as a father and a spiritual guide. I made a commitment to spread the word about prostate cancer, and with the passing of my Dad, that commitment is even stronger.”
Back in March, Wilson realeased his latest effort, “Uncle Charlie,” and spoke with ESSENCE.com about his personal crusade to educate Black men about this disease.
“I’ve battled drug and alcohol addiction; I was homeless, and now I’m battling cancer, so I’m not afraid to talk about it,” Wilson told ESSENCE.com. “Black men are two times more likely to die from prostate cancer so we need to get checked. The sooner the better.”
Funeral services for Bishop Wilson will be held on Tuesday, June 23, at 1:00 P.M. at the Morning Star Baptist Church, 165 E. Cedar Street, Lucedale, Mississippi.
The family is requesting that in lieu of flowers that donations be made to the Prostate Cancer Foundation at www.unclecharliewilson.com.—KNB