In his teenage years Wilson attended Glenville High School along with Superman creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, graduating in 1934.
Wilson attended Cleveland College of Western Reserve University as a night student, working at the Plain Dealer during the day.
During World War II Wilson served with the United States Army Air Forces from 1942 to 1945 in England, France, and Italy.
[1] After the war Wilson returned to the Plain Dealer as a reporter, covering a variety of assignments and winning numerous awards for his work.
Wilson's sister, Mary Hirschfeld, was also a career journalist employed by The Plain Dealer from approximately 1929 to 1990, working for the paper to the age of 81.