This message is for Carlene McGinn. This is Eugenia P Young.  Carline I had my daughter Carlene look you up. & I think about you more than you can imagine! We found this obituary on my phone, & I just want you to know I am so sorry about your son. When you lost him I had just broken my leg the day before, & I was in rehab for 2 months. I am back home and would love to hear a phone call from you. My telephone number is 615- 35 2-8778. You will always be such a dear  part of my family...! I love you!

oh wow, I was just preparing to send Wilson an e-mail for his Birthday when I found this. I meet Wilson in 1977 at Edwin Warner Park in Nashville where we both worked the summer for the Youth Conservation Corp (see photo of us after working in the rain and mud), Wilson was my group leader. Who could ignore those Sky blue eyes, blond hair and Dimples? But, what made Wilson special was his sense of humor - dedication and concern for us Kids, lol...some of us were over 18 but not all of us. He made that summer the Best summer of my life, the best six weeks of my life. His experience was different, he had responsibilities, but I had him looking out for me, so I had no worries. It is hard to express how much love I have for Wilson and how much he influenced my life and even my kids lives. My husband and I had the kids out camping, back packing and hiking as soon as they could walk. I know Wilson will be missed by everyone who's lives he touched.

I just found out about Wilson's passing and am so sorry to hear of this. Wilson was my best friend growing up, we lived only a few houses away;the McGinns were like a second family to me. Mr. and Mrs. McGinn were always so welcoming and loving,really for all the neighborhood kids... I was so blessed to have such a wonderful 2nd family to spend time with. Wilson and David were both wonderful friends, we shared so much together. We hiked most every inch of the Radnor Lake area together, camped out there, as we did in the Smokies. Wilson was a special person, so gifted in so many ways, loving, compassionate, loved the outdoors as so many have said. He taught me a lot about life and how to live it. I will miss him, but am a better person for having known him.

I worked with Wilson. He was such a nice man. He will be greatly missed. My sincere condolences to his family.

I had the good fortune to meet and start working with Wilson over 20 years ago, after risking all by saying I couldn't stand one more day in the job I had then at ORNL. Wordlessly, my boss led me down the hall to Wilson's office and introduced me to my new supervisor.  Wilson was, by far, the best boss I've ever had and, as I approach retirement, I feel certain that title will be unchallenged. His was a priceless combination of scientific and professional excellence, outstanding moral character, compassion, and - my favorite - a dry sense of humor that we anticipated whenever around him. Wilson somehow managed to find and comment on the funny in us and himself, and in such a way that we always let down our guard and belly-laughed with him. There was the time I'd too-hastily cut and pasted while composing the title for a paper. Wilson's editorial comment: "Did you use a salad shooter to come up with this title?" Wilson was a gentle man and a true gentleman; the world was a better place for having him, and is a better place for having his memory in our hearts.

My thoughts are with Wilson's family and friends in this time of sadness. He was a great guy and a good friend. A positive in a world where negative abounds and he will be greatly missed.I guess he will be making all of heaven laugh with great stories.

Wilson contributed meaningful and important volunteer efforts at ORNL for many community outreach events that I was involved in, and I deeply respected his efforts. His kind, considerate words will live on in all those he helped through those missions. Peace and love to the family.

This is so hard to believe.  I worked with Wilson back in the 90's.  He was a great guy to work with and a fantastically supportive supervisor, with a humor and compassion that I think clicked with so many.  Prayers for his family.

I was friends with Wilson at Hillsboro High School.  I'll always remember his gentle demeanor, his humor and his obvious intellect.  Rest in Peace Wilson.  My condolences to his family

Wilson had a kind nature and a witty humor that will be missed by all who knew him.  God bless you and your family during this time.

I still can't quite believe it. I was shocked and saddened to hear about Wilson's passing. I worked with him at ORNL over 20 years ago. He was my direct supervisor and mentor and I couldn't have asked for a better colleague and work friend than Wilson. Even after I left ORNL, we kept in touch and he was always supportive and a true gentleman scholar and a heck of a fun guy to have at grill parties. My deepest condolences to the family. May you take comfort in the knowledge that Wilson made such a positive impact on so many lives and although he may have passed, he is certainly not forgotten.

Wilson was my supervisor for a few years in the mid-1990s. I found him to be a fine supervisor, an excellent scientist, and a good friend. I considered him very patient and helpful when teaching me a new area of science, and I enjoyed his sense of humor. He will be greatly missed at ORNL for his skilled and thoughtful leadership. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends at this time of great loss.

I worked with Wilson for over 10 years. During these years, he became my friend.  He loved his dogs, his family and of course, football.  We often shared experiences regarding all of the above.  I will sincerely miss him. My prayers are with the family and all of his many friends.

I had only known Wilson for just under a year, but I am fortunate to have met him.  I am grateful for the role he played in bringing me into one of his groups at ORNL.  He was so very kind and a fun-loving man.

It was my pleasure to have known Wilson for over 20 years having worked with him at ORNL. As others have said he always wore a smile and was one of the friendliest individuals I have known.  He will be missed.

My sadness and sympathies with Wilson's family, my fellow co-workers and community. He was a positive person ho constantly strived to make a difference in our world through his work and volunteer activities - as well as his ready smile and dry sense of humor.

Wilson will be missed - he gave so much with his humor, kindness, and empathy.  I knew him briefly and consider it a great honor to have met him.  I am so sorry for your loss.

I have two valued connections with Wilson. First, I enjoyed working with in the Environmental Sciences Division. He was not just a first-rate scientist, he was also one of the nicest people I have ever worked with. There were always challenges to meet and working with Wilson to find solutions was always a pleasure and I knew that he would find the best solution. 

Second, Wilson lived about mile up the road from us. My wife walks each day and picks up trash from the side of the road as part of her daily routine. She always looked forward to Wilson passing her on his way to work. He had a wave and smile each day. This summer he brought flowers to my wife as a way of saying "thanks" for keeping the road clean. What a great gentleman!

He will be missed by many.

I am a Georgia Tech faculty member who holds a joint faculty appointment in Wilson's group.  Wilson was a really great person and had to be one of the nicest people that I have ever had the privilege of working with.  I will sorely miss him and those strategy meeting that we had when I would come to the lab -- full of humor and a big vision for the future of our group.  

My condolences to the family during this time of sadness.  In our sadness, we should also celebrate the life that was and the great impact he had on the lives of others.

this candle doesn't hold a light to you Wilson..  but in replace of your light, the heavens gained a new star.  Shine bright.

This was such a shock to hear of Wilson's death.  I wish I could be there to show my respects to the family of a wonderful kind person; however, I will not be able to make the drive.  Please accept my thoughts and prayers as you go through this time of grief.

I worked with Wilson, he was always so kind, and even though I am "low on the ladder" he was thoughtful enough to give me a Christmas card. That is just the kind of person he was.  He was funny, could always make one laugh, in a nutshell he was 'one of the good guys', and his passing made life a little dimmer.  He will be missed greatly, and my heart and prayers are with his family.

I worked with Wilson for 20 plus years. He will be missed dearly. He was a special person and friend. One who was always there to lift you up during your worst days. He was a loving and caring person, the kind you don't often find these days. You are in my thoughts and prayers. I definitely understand want you are going through.

I just heard of Wilson's passing from my mom. We were neighbors for ten formative years from the time I was 3 to about 12. That was a long time ago - the early 60's to 70's. I have so many wonderful childhood memories with Wilson and his brother David. Wilson was the person I looked up to the most of the kids in the neighborhood. He and his brother David befriended my brother and I and taught me to play sports. I read all the condolence messages in this guestbook and I am not surprised to hear that he had a positive impact on many with whom he came into contact. He was an exceptional young person, raised by exceptional parents Carlene and Bruce McGinn. My condolences go out to Mrs. Carlene McGinn and David and his family. I am sad for your grief. I pray God would comfort you and all those close to Wilson in this difficult time.

So sorry for your loss! I worked with Wilson several years ago. He was so much fun to be around.

Our deepest and most heartfelt sympathies to your family. Wilson was a kind man and good friend to me and my husband, Clarence. He was so much fun to be around. We will miss him dearly.

I was greatly saddened when I heard the news of Wilson's passing.  We worked together for many years.  My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.  He will be greatly missed.

I worked with Wilson at ORNL for 20 years and he was one of the nicest people I have ever met. Every once on a while wet meet a truly gifted person in life that will hold a special place in our heart.  His sense of humor could light up even the worst day and I was very fortunate to have him as a work friend for all those years. 
When one of our group members retired Wilson always gave them a poem he wrote especially for them. Everyone always looked forward to that poem.  I read my poem this morning again and remembererd him as he read it for me and my coworkers. That is my memory I will keep with me of Wilson and I will cherish my peom forever. 
I am so sorry for the family's loss and I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

My husband and I have known Wilson and Andrea since they moved into the house next door.  We shared the love and upkeep of ours and their 4-legged children for years. Lately, Wilson had discovered a love of the land and the animals that inhabited it.  He would text me about discoveries and always with a dry wit joke thrown in. (He could make me laugh.)  He also had taken to wandering up to visit on the weekends, the dogs and the humans.  I will miss my friend and neighbor in so many ways.

I grieve for the family and hope that time will ease their sadness. May your memories give you comfort and keep Wilson close in your hearts.

OBITUARY

Carl Wilson McGinn

June 9, 1955 – November 24, 2014

Berry Funeral Home

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