Horace Smythe Willson

Horace was born in Raleigh, NC on January 25, 1938 to the late Leonard Alfred Willson Sr. and Alice Haynes Carter.

Horace is survived by daughters Jennifer Willson Conner (Kenneth) of Raleigh, NC and Melissa Willson Wagenseller (Edwin) of Wilmington, NC and his grandchildren Maxwell Smythe Wagenseller (22), Mollie Ann Nicholson (21), Claire Elizabeth Nicholson (19) and Benjamin Holt Wagenseller (18), brothers Leonard Alfred Willson Jr. (Marie) and Horace’s twin Joseph Carter Willson both of Raleigh, NC. Horace is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Ann Johnson Willson, brother Thomas Bernard Willson and sister Mary Jane Willson Singletary.

Horace graduated from Broughton High School in Raleigh, NC in 1956, and from N.C. State University in 1961 with a degree in Industrial Engineering. Horace started his almost 55-year career at Superior Stone/Martin Marietta, where he established the Environmental Department. Horace took the environmental services at Martin Marietta from nonexistence to the pride of the industry. What started as a one-man operation grew under his tenure to a 29-person team of talented, technically savvy environmental experts. In 2005, he was awarded the Environmental Steward Award.

Horace was a respected leader, professional diplomat, hands-on teacher, and a person of admirable character. Horace was respected by all and treated everyone with respect. He enjoyed work and that was clearly evident with how people reacted to him.

Horace’s love for his family and his career is rivaled only by the love he had for his yard. He would spend most of his free time maintaining his beautiful property. He was awarded “Yard of the Month” multiple times while living in Laurel Hills. When He and Ann moved to Wood Valley in 1998, no such award existed. However, we all know whose yard would have won!

If you are so inclined, memorials in Horace’s honor can be made to: The Nature Conservancy (Nature.org) or The National Pancreas Foundation (Pancreasfoundation.org)

There will be a Celebration of Life for both Horace and his wife Ann on June 25th at 11am at the home of Jennifer Conner.