Clarence Lyle Wilson (1924–2000) was born in Calgary on 7 January 1924. He graduated from Central High School. During the war Wilson served in the Royal Canadian Navy as a wireless operator. Following the war he entered the University of Alberta, where he graduated Bachelor of Commerce in 1949. Wilson then returned to Calgary where he worked for a chartered accounting firm, before becoming a tax auditor with Revenue Canada.

Wilson married Rose Julie Fry on 9 December 1950 at St Stephen's Anglican. They had two sons, Robert and Gordon. Wilson died on 16 August 2000 at age 76.