Ralph V. Wilson Jr.

Ralph Virgil Wilson, Jr., 95, passed away at his home in Chattanooga, TN and entered the presence of his Lord on Friday, July 19, 2019. He was born December 11, 1923 to Ralph V. Wilson, Sr. and Stella Rumley Wilson of Kernersville, NC where he grew up. He had spent the past 25 years living in Chattanooga, TN near his daughter and family. R. V. loved the Lord and served Him faithfully in church through the years, and most recently as a deacon at Morris Hill Baptist Church in Chattanooga. He was a wise, honorable man of outstanding character. He touched many people with kindness and humor. He loved and cherished his wife and was a dedicated, loving Dad. R. V. always took responsibilities seriously and was diligent in all he did. He was instrumental in starting the Jaycees in Kernersville, NC and served as their first president. He liked to read and educated himself in many avenues. He enjoyed being involved with horses along with his daughter for several years, he was a beekeeper with his young grandson, he enjoyed deer hunting with family and friends, and he enjoyed many years of camping at the coast and in the mountains. R. V. served in the Army-Air Force as an airplane mechanic in Walla Walla, WA during WWII. When he returned to Kernersville he worked for a while at the Kernersville News. After that he worked as supervisor in the composing room at the Winston-Salem Journal and Sentinel newspaper from which he retired after 35 years. R. V. was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Alice Faye (Myron) Sexton of Lewisville, NC. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Jane Pegg Wilson in 2015. They had been sweethearts since third grade and literally spent a lifetime together. He was also preceded in death by his infant son, R. V. Wilson III, and infant daughter, Alice Ann Wilson. R. V. is survived by his daughter and son-in-law Gwen and Jerry (“Punk”) Echols of Chattanooga. The Lord blessed R. V. (Papaw) through the years with five grandchildren and fourteen great grandchildren who survive him: Kelly Echols, Slater, Ember of White Salmon, WA, Paige (Jim) Batten, Chase, Chad, Somer, Sydney of Apison, TN, Joy (Chris) Petty, Emily, Anna, Caleb of Bolivia, South America, Amy (Justin) Park, Mikayla, Camden, Lane of Chattanooga, TN, Mark (Nicole) Echols, Logan, Christian of Chattanooga, TN. Also, R. V. is survived by his nephew Neal Wilson Sexton of Winston-Salem, NC. R. V. was a humble man who brought much joy to many lives. He will always be loved, and respected, by his family and friends. And, he will be greatly missed!! Funeral services will be held Thursday, July 25, at E. Brainerd Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home with Pastor Bill Mason officiating. Visitation will be from 3:30 – 6:00 PM with the service starting at 6:00 PM. Burial will be at Chattanooga National Cemetery at 10:30 AM on Friday, July 26, 2019.