Julius Bailey "J. B." Wilson

.Julius Bailey "J.B." Wilson, 95, passed December 18, 2015 at Serenades Assisted Living in Winter Garden, Florida, in the arms of his loving family. J.B. was born in Mebane, North Carolina, the son of the late Iva Dillard Wilson and Julius Barnes Wilson. J. B. first came to Orlando in March 1942 for training in the Army-Air Corps with the 50th Fighter Group, 313th Fighter Squadron. In March 1944, he deployed to England and later to Central Europe to support Allied operations during World War II, and returned to the U.S. in August 1945. Following the war, J.B. worked in Akron, Ohio, for the Goodrich Rubber Company. Returning to NC, he was an automotive body repairman at Poe-Mangum Pure Oil Station and Garage in Chapel Hill. In 1951, he and his brother, Henry Wilson, had their own station and garage, Wilsons Service Station in Carrboro, NC until 1956 when J.B. and his family moved to Orlando, Florida. He worked at the Chevrolet Dealership in Cocoa, Orange Automotive in Orlando, then as Body Shop Manager for Simpson Motors in Orlando until he retired. J. B. is survived by his daughter, Barbara W. Thompson (Roy D.) of Winter Garden, FL; sons, Donald W. Wilson (Vicki) and Paul G. Wilson of Orlando, FL; grandsons, Michael Thompson (Kate) of Fairfax, VA, and Chad Wilson (Brandi) of Madisonville, TN; granddaughter, Shelli Carpenter of Orlando; four great grandchildren – Marshall Thompson, Emma Rose Thompson, Chad Dillon Wilson, and Bailey Skye Wilson, his brother, Henry Wilson of Chapel Hill, NC, and many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his loving wife of 71 years, Frances, his parents and an infant sister, Ruby.

Visitation for friends will be held on Tuesday, December 29, 2015 from 10:30-11AM followed by an 11:00AM Funeral Service at Baldwin-Fairchild Funeral Home, Winter Garden Chapel, 428 East Plant Street, Winter Garden, FL 34787. Interment will be at Greenwood Cemetery, Orlando. In J.B.'s memory, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Assn. (www. alz.org) or to the United Services Organization (www.uso.org).