Salvatore Aliotta Wilson of Eureka Springs, Ark., was born June 27, 1975, in Eureka Springs to Robert Wilson and Eleanor Lux. Sal passed away Friday, January 27, 2023, in Fayetteville, Ark., at age 47.
Sal Wilson led a life of adventure with friends from around the world. With so many experiences he was known as an unrivalled storyteller, holding court at the many campfire cookouts where he would spontaneously gather friends and amazing food, sometimes fish speared just hours before. Like his parents, Sal spent many winters with family and friends in Mexico, camping in the dunes, sailing and kayaking and kiteboarding to remote islands, and always spearfishing. In his late teens and early twenties, Sal was an accomplished rock climber, ascending El Capitan amongst other well-known climbs with friends all over the world, even landing on the pages of Rock and Ice Magazine.
Yet whether climbing mountains or motorcycling through Baja or hiking the desert wilderness, Sal’s greatest pleasure was always meeting new people and sharing with them his love of life.
In his thirties, Sal acquired his 100-ton captain’s license and worked on famous motor and sailing yachts in Europe. It would be on board a ship at sea where he would meet his true love, Hana. Soon after, Sal and Hana moved back to Eureka Springs to start a family; their daughter Wren was born in 2015.
Meanwhile Sal’s early work as a carpenter had evolved into a keen interest in timber framing. With this passion he would establish his own successful business and become a member of the Timber Framers Guild. Sal’s skill, attention to detail, and integrity—not to mention his personality—made him a sought-after hire on projects throughout the US and Caribbean.
One of his earlier projects was the building of a beautiful timber frame straw-bale home for his new family. More recently, he designed and created beautiful timber frame structures at Lake Leatherwood, Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge and Dripping Springs Garden.
Sal is survived by his wife Hana Maufe, and daughter, Wren of Eureka Springs; mother Eleanor Lux and father Robert Wilson of Eureka Springs; sisters Anna Lux and her partner Sean Smith of Eureka Springs, and Jessica Guillory and husband, Daren Guillory of Fayetteville; nieces Alena and Rachel Guillory of Fayetteville; nephew Wilson Guillory of Maplewood, NJ; along with many uncles, aunts, relatives and friends around the world.
Sal, Hana, and Wren created a lifetime’s worth of memories in the time they had together. His life and works are truly a legacy for his family, friends, and our community to share for many years to come.
Memorial services will be held at a date yet to be determined. Memorial donations may be made to the Sal Wilson Memorial Account at any Equity Bank location in Arkansas. Arrangements under the direction of Nelson Funeral Service. Online condolences may be sent to nelsonfuneral.com. © Nelson Funeral Service, Inc. 2023.