James (Jim) Franklin Wilson, 87, of Blacksburg, died on Saturday, March 21, 2020. He was born Sept. 1, 1932, in Ceres, Va. (Bland County), the youngest son of Dewey Kent and Annabell Barger Wilson. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Betty Greenwood Wilson, his brother S/Sgt. Owen Thomas Wilson, and his brother and sister-in-law Harry Laymon Wilson and Barbara Sauls Wilson.
He is survived by his son, Thomas Greenwood Wilson of Blacksburg; his daughter and son-in-law, Diane Phillippi Wilson Catley (Dennis); one granddaughter, Jessica Ina Catley; and one grandson, Bryan Thomas Catley of Blacksburg.
Mr. Wilson graduated from Ceres High School and McClain’s Business College in Bluefield, W.Va. He was involved in business and industry for 42 years, the last 36 with the Brunswick Corporation in Marion, Va., where he retired as Facilities and Maintenance Manager of the Radomes and Composites Division. His family lived in Marion until 1997, when following Betty’s retirement, they moved to Blacksburg.
He was extensively active in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America where he held many positions of leadership in the local congregations of Ebenezer Lutheran Church in Marion, Va., and Luther Memorial Lutheran Church in Blacksburg. He served as a Sunday School Teacher, a Youth Advisor and on the church council and various committees.
He also served in several capacities with the Virginia Synod of the ELCA, including on the Synod Council, the executive board, and numerous committees. He was involved in the construction and operation of Hungry Mother Lutheran Retreat Center for 42 years, including serving on the executive board, as secretary/treasurer, counselor, site manager and maintenance operations. He attended several churchwide assemblies as a voting representative. In 1968 he was one of 34 ELCA members to receive the Lamb Award in recognition of his work with the church and youth.
He was a registered leader with the Boy Scouts of America for 51 years, holding leadership positions in local troops, including Scoutmaster or Assistant Scoutmaster for 15 years with Troop 92 in Marion. He served in district and council positions with the Blue Ridge Mountain Council where he received the District Award of Merit and the Silver Beaver in recognition of his service.
He served in other organizations, including a life membership in Marion Lodge #32, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and Marion Royal Arch Chapter #54, where he served as High Priest, District Deputy Grand High Priest, and secretary/treasurer for several years.
He served with the U.S. Army Signal Corps in Korea during the Korean War and was a life member of VFW Post #4667 in Marion. He organized and served on the Endowment Committee of the Ceres High School Alumni Association and was a member of the Hokie Club, the local RSVP volunteer service organization in Blacksburg and a volunteer at Montgomery Regional Hospital.
Active in historical and family genealogy research, he was a life member of the Wythe and Bland County historical societies, a member of the First Families of Wythe County, and the Sons of Confederate Veterans. In 2004 he edited and published a book of his great-grandfather’s family letters from the Civil War.
A heartfelt thank you to the staff of English Meadows-Blacksburg and Medi-Home Health for their care and support.
A memorial service and celebration will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to the Jim and Betty Wilson Scholarship Fund at Roanoke College, 221 College Lane, Salem, Va., 24153, the Luther Memorial Scholarship Fund, 600 Prices Fork Road, Blacksburg, Va., 24060, the Wilson Scholarship Fund at Wytheville Community College, 1000 East Main Street, Wytheville, Va., 24382, the Ceres Alumni Endowment Fund, P.O. Box 32, Ceres, Va., 24318, or to a charity of your choice. Arrangements by McCoy Funeral Home, Blacksburg.
