wilson died at his home on march 25, 2014 of natural causes at the age of 95. his estate held the franchise in trust until its sale to buffalo sabres owners terry and kim pegula in september 2014. the proceeds from the sale were used to form an endowment for the ralph c. wilson jr. foundation, which funds charitable causes in the buffalo and detroit areas, in accordance with wilson's instructions for the money set forth prior to his death. the organization was overseen for a few months by his niece mary owen until its sale to the pegulas was completed on october 8, 2014.