Bill was born on September 29, 1932 in Tazewell, VA to Glen and Allie Mae Wilson. He graduated from Richlands High School in Richlands, VA before going on to serve his country in the U.S. Army. He was stationed at Ft. Chaffee after basic training from 1952-1954. He graduated proudly from Virginia Tech with a B.S. in Mining Engineering in 1958. During his time at Virginia Tech, Bill was active with the Corp of Cadets and played on the lacrosse team. In 1954, Bill met Betty Idell Webb at a dance exchange between Virginia Tech and Sullins College. They were married on August 25, 1956 and spent the next 61 years together.
Bill spent his professional career first with Alabama Power Company and then with various Department of the Interior branches including U.S. Geological Survey, Bureau of Mines, and the Department of Energy. He served as chairman of the Engineering Foundation Conference in 1977. In 1993, Bill and Betty retired to Trent Woods, NC where Bill became active welcoming others to the area as a member of the New Comer’s Club. Bill spent his time collecting and tumbling rocks, woodworking and fixing things around his house, gardening, and enjoying time on his boat as a member of the New Bern Yacht Club. Bill was lovingly known for his dry wit and limited tolerance for foolishness.
He is predeceased by his parents and his brother, David.
Bill is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Betty I. Wilson; children, Martha Wilson of Havelock, Bill Jr. (Carla) Wilson of Annandale, VA, and Martie (Howard) Smith of Cherry Valley, NY; siblings, Myrtle (Jack) Hooker of Roanoke, VA, Richard (Mary Nell) Wilson of Grundy, VA, Katherine (Frank) Putney of Wytheville, VA, and sister-in-law, Kaye Wilson of Crockett, VA; grandchildren, Roxi and Christi Kruse, Kevin and Melissa Wilson, Owen Smith; great-grandchildren Dylan and Wyatt Gerber, Benjamin and Cera Luna Washington; and Bill’s treasured companion, Freckles.
Funeral service will be 2 p.m. on Wednesday, March 14th, 2018 at the Lakeside Chapel of Greenleaf Memorial Park in New Bern.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Bill's name can be made to Vets to Vets United, Inc., 732 Ninth Street #595, Durham, NC 27705, or online at vetstovetsunited.org.
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