Wilmer Olin Vinson

Wilmer Olin Vinson, a long time resident of Montgomery, passed away at the age of 92 on Wednesday, August 13, 2014. Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 pm, Thursday, August 14, 2014 at Leak Memory Chapel. Services will be held on Friday, August 15, 2014, 1:00 pm, at Leak Memory Chapel with Dr. Jay Wolf and Dr. Dale Huff officiating. A graveside service will follow at Greenwood Cemetery.

He was born June 8, 1922 and raised on a small farm in Chilton County, Alabama. As a teenager, he took a part time job at Martin's Funeral Home in Clanton. After graduating from high school, he moved to Montgomery at the age of 19 and accepted a position at White Chapel Funeral Home.

In 1941, he enlisted in the Navy. He initially served at the Pensacola Navy Air Station. Olin was part of a team travelling to Mississippi, Arkansas, and Louisiana to recruit and test potential navy recruits. Olin ultimately was assigned to a newly christened navy ship (USS Cottle) based on the west coast. The ship was a troop transport that visited the Pacific Islands to load and unload troops and equipment. After World War II, Olin returned to his family farm until enrolling at the University of Alabama. Later, he returned to Montgomery where he worked in the office of Federal Judge Kenamer. He attended Jones Law School and worked in the U S Federal Court Probation Office.

Olin ultimately joined Prentice Hall, the nation' leading publisher of tax and law books where he was regularly recognized for his performance and accomplishments. He continued his service at White Chapel on a part time basis throughout his sales career. He was very fond of the friends he made while working at both companies. After retiring from Prentice Hall and White Chapel, he owned and managed Barth Lumber Company in Clanton, Alabama. Olin and Frances, his wife of 66 years, ran Barth Lumber for a number of years before selling the company to the employees.

Over the years, Olin spent most of his free time at Lake Jordan, where he built a lake cabin which he later expanded it to accommodate his growing family. Those closest to Olin knew him as an extremely active man, always in pursuit of the next project at his family's farm, the lake house or their home in Old Cloverdale. He was the ultimate "Mr. Fix It."

Earlier this year, Olin received his seventh pace maker/defibrillator. He had the upmost respect for his cardiologist Thomas Wool and his Nurse Practitioner Darby Steven. The family would also like to thank the wonderful caregivers who have made him so comfortable the last several months, especially Ms. Teresa Matthews.

He was comforted by his favorite pets Crissy, a Doberman Pincher, and his spirited Yorkie named Lulu.

Olin was preceded by his father Walter Grady Vinson and mother Zebie Robinson Vinson of Clanton, Alabama, a sister, Ruth Vinson Terwelp of San Antonio, TX, and a brother, Jimmy Taylor of Birmingham, Alabama.

He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Frances Angelini Vinson, four children, Craig Olin Vinson (Julia) of Orange Beach, AL, Cathy Ogburn (Bob) of Montgomery, AL, Larry Vinson (Karen) of Montgomery, AL and Amy Rutledge (Steve) of Montgomery, AL. His grandchildren are Craig Olin Vinson, Jr., (Suzanne) of Birmingham, AL, Hilda Vinson of Orange Beach, AL, Amy Catherine Hughes (Jeff) of Montgomery, AL, Robert Ogburn of Montgomery, AL, Walter Grady Vinson, Montgomery, AL, Hayes Vinson, Montgomery, AL, Brooks Olin Vinson, Montgomery, AL, Frances Rutledge, Montgomery, AL, Vinson Rutledge, Montgomery, AL and Bennett Rutledge, Montgomery, AL. Great Grandchildren are Anna Vinson, Adele Vinson, Craig Olin (Trey) Vinson, III, Morgan Dempsey, Will Yeager, James (JayJay) Hughes, Emma Cate Hughes.

Pallbearers will be his grand sons and great grandsons.

Honorary Pallbearers will be the members of the Poundstone Class at First Baptist Church. Olin loved the members of that class and looked forward to visiting with them on Sundays.

Contributions honoring Olin Vinson may be made to The First Baptist Church Caring Center, 305 South Perry Street, Montgomery, AL 36104.

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