Ray Wilson Passes Away at Age 94
Posted: August 23, 2022 in Chains
Ray Wilson
By: Norm Cates
The health and fitness industry world lost a true LEGEND on August 22, 2022 when RAY WILSON, a man who had a very prolific career in the world of health, racquet and sports club development, building and operations, passed away.
When he passed away at age 94 at his beachside home in Mexico, Ray Wilson left two sons who were in the industry with him… the late Perry Wilson and Packy Wilson. He is also survived by his children Randi, Everett, Rhonda Yarro, Sue Mckinely and Ray Wilson, Jr.
During the latter portion of Ray Wilson’s 75+ year career in the health club industry, he evolved his approach to the industry, shifting his staff’s previous direction from a high pressure membership sales approach to operations to a more subtle approach to membership marketing and sales. That evolution of Ray’s approach actually began at IRSA’s first Convention and Trade Show in Las Vegas in 1981 and not only benefitted Ray Wilson, it benefitted the entire industry worldwide.
Below are four stories in past Club Insider editions featuring Ray Wilson, and if you take the time to read about his truly amazing career in our industry, you will be glad you did. Ray’s career included multiple different club chains with about 1,000 clubs. Those chains included: American Health Studios, California Fitness, European Health Spas and President’s First Lady Fitness Centers.
Ray Wilson should also be given credit, along with Augie Nieto, for the development and worldwide marketing of the Life Cycle, which in my view, along with the development of Nautilus by Arthur Jones and Jim Flanagan, were the two most significant equipment developments in the history of our industry.
If you are one who wants to actually know the HISTORY of our industry, trust me when I write this to you here today… IF you read these following Club Insider Cover Stories and Articles, you will learn more about our industry than you will learn from any other source in our industry, bar none. Those stories include:
- Ray Wilson… A Legend in His Own Time – Part I
- Ray Wilson… A Legend in His Own Time – Part II
- Ray Wilson Honored for Lifetime Achievement
- Ray Wilson and Dale Dibble First Ever “Health Club Pioneer of the Year” Award Winners
May Mr. Ray Wilson Rest In Peace.
