Ivory Coleman Wilson

Waynesville, NC – Ivory Coleman Wilson, age 93, passed away Wednesday, September 27, 2017. He was born in Old Fort, McDowell County, North Carolina, to parents Fred Grover Wilson and Lillie Silvers Wilson on January 27, 1924. He was preceded in death by three sisters, Elizabeth Motz of Lincolnton, NC, Eula Jo Wilson and Mary Irene Wilson of Pleasant Gardens Community in Marion, NC, two brothers, Woodrow Dexter Wilson, and Emory Wilson of Pleasant Gardens in Marion, NC. He is survived by his wife, Lowaine Mashburn Wilson of Waynesville, NC, two sons, Coleman Fredrick Wilson (Pete) of Morganton, NC, and Richard D. Wilson (Rick) and wife, Melissa Jackson Wilson of Huntsville, AL, three grandsons, Scott Richard Wilson, Charles Coleman Wilson and Mitchell Lane Wilson of Huntsville, AL, one niece, Janie Wilson, of Raleigh, NC, a nephew and nieces of Lincolnton, NC. Coleman was a WWII veteran who served in the 381st Bomb Group, 532nd Squadron of the Eighth Air Force stationed in Ridgewell, England. He flew 26 missions over Germany after which he returned to the United States. He then attended WCTC (now WCU), majored in Industrial Arts, taught 3 years at Valdese High School, where he set up their first industrial arts program. From Valdese, he sought more lucrative employment with Dayco Corporation in Waynesville and worked there for 33 years in engineering and development where he earned recognition for inventing a special valve in their manufacturing process. Coleman was member of the First Baptist Church, Waynesville, where he especially enjoyed his Sunday School Class and delivered flowers each Monday along with other members of the Baptist brotherhood to disabled and very ill members in nursing homes and in private homes. Funeral services will be held at 11 am on Saturday, September 30, 2017 in the Chapel of Garrett Funeral Home with the Rev. Dr. Robert Prince officiating. The family will receive friends from 10 to 11 am on Saturday prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will follow services at Garrett Hillcrest Memorial Park. A message of comfort may be left to the family and an online guest registry may be signed at www.garrettfuneralsandcremations.com