James Carroll Wilson

James (Jim) Wilson, 70, died peacefully in his sleep Monday morning, October 25, at home in Aurora, Illinois, with his wife and daughter by his side. Jim, an Oak Ridge resident from 1987-1998, was born in 1939 in Knoxville to Muncie Ada Massengill and Odis Neal Wilson, who preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by his nephew, Dean E. Wilson. He is survived by his wife and partner of 12 years, Nancy Gold, and parents-in-law Jerold and Ruth Gold of Toledo, Ohio, his friend and former wife Dianne Wilson of Oak Ridge and their daughter Beth Wilson of Knoxville and son Brooke, daughter-in-law Jeni and grandchildren Mackenzie and Samantha Wilson of Gahanna Ohio. In 1991, Jim adopted daughters Christine and Tonya (now of McMinnville, Tennessee) and is survived by additional grandchildren Haley Wilson and Christian Dixon. He is also survived by his brother David E. Wilson (Kathy) of Oak Ridge, his sisters Janie Franks and Becky (Mark) Cordell of Cumming, Georgia, 4 nieces and 1 nephew and their children. While in Oak Ridge, Jim was a member of First United Methodist Church and the American Legion and was an active volunteer with Contact Teleministries and the Sexual Assault Crisis Center in Knoxville. Cpt. Wilson served in the U.S. Army in the 101st Airborne Division at Ft. Campbell, Kentucky and the 82nd Airborne Division at Ft. Gordon, Georgia. He was also stationed at Ft. Benning, Georgia and Ft. Rucker, Alabama. He served in South Viet Nam as a U.S. Army fixed wing pilot in 1968 and 1969 where he earned a Bronze Star and the Air Medal with 8 oak-leaf clusters. Upon his return from Viet Nam he was an army flight instructor at Ft. Rucker until leaving the military after 14 years in 1971. He continued to fly and instruct as a civilian. He was a 1957 graduate of Fulton H.S. (Knoxville). He earned a B.S. from East Tennessee State University, an M.S. in Systems Management from the University of Southern California, and an M.S. in Social Work from the University of Tennessee. After his service in the army, he was employed by Owens-Illinois in Toledo and Columbus, Ohio and by Lockheed Martin (Y-12), Oak Ridge until his retirement in 1998. The family is especially appreciative of the loving care provided by Seasons Hospice of Illinois. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the charities of your choice.

Tributes

James Carroll Wilson

December 24, 1939 - October 25, 2010