he graduated from the university of virginia (where he joined the phi delta theta fraternity) and attended the university of michigan law school. he was a 1936 graduate of detroit university school, now university liggett school. during world war ii, he enlisted in the u.s. navy and served in the atlantic and pacific theaters. after the war ended, he took over his father's insurance business and invested in michigan area mines and factories. he eventually purchased several manufacturing outlets, construction firms, television and radio stations, and founded ralph wilson industries.