South Pittsburg businessman Joe Ray Wilson, 88, passed away with family at his side Friday evening at ManorHouse Assisted Living in Chattanooga. He was formerly president and board chairman of First Bank of Marion County, which had branch banks in Grundy, Sequatchie and Bledsoe Counties. He later served as an officer with Nations Bank in Chattanooga. He was also an owner and president of Carter-Wilson-Hewgley Insurance Agency in South Pittsburg and Wilson Realty.

Mr. Wilson served on the Tennessee Banker's Association board of directors. He was also president of the South Pittsburg Rotary Club. He served many years on the South Pittsburg Housing Authority Board, the Industrial Board and was past commander of the American Legion - Post 62.
In 1943, he was called to serve in the U. S. Army with the 773rd Field Artillery Battalion in England, France, Luxembourg, Belgium and Germany during World War II. He returned to active duty in 1950 in the Korean War, when he served with the 278th Heavy Mortar Company Regiment Combat Team of the South Pittsburg National Guard.

Mr. Wilson was a farmer and was known as a good bass fisherman, hunter and outdoorsman. He was an elder, Sunday School teacher and life-long member of the Richard City Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He helped and supported many churches, schools and community organizations in Marion County, across the state and in his hometown of Bridgeport, Alabama. He married his first love, Juanita Brown in 1941 at age 18. They were married for 58 years until her passing in 1999. Mr. Wilson suffered from Alzheimer's the remainder of his years.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Wilson was preceded in death by his parents, Joe Williford and Lola Holland Wilson, sisters, Martha "Patty" Huling, Joy Thompson, Sarah Navarro and Linda Gay Wilson. Mr. Wilson was also preceded by his brothers, James Allen Wilson and Ben Jack Wilson.

He is survived by his daughter, Marion County Commissioner Jane W. Dawkins and husband, Gary L., one son, Mickey Joe Wilson and wife, Samantha; two grandchildren, Asst. Dist. Attorney, Taffy Ann Wilson and SPHS Coach Tyler Dawkins and wife, Mary Katherine; step-grandchildren, Maggie (Mark) Cooper and Stephanie Griffin; one sister, Esther Dell Williams McDonald of Hixson, TN, as well as several nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of good friends.
Services with military honors will be conducted from the chapel of Rogers Funeral Home in South Pittsburg, on Monday, October 10th at 4PM CDT by Ministers William E. Watkins and Cliff Hudson. Burial will be at Sequatchie Valley Memorial Gardens in Kimball, TN.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Dr. Bob White, Raymond Vinson, Dr. Eugene Ryan, Howard Swafford, Sr., Bob Red, C.C. "Tooter" Moss, Parker Layne, Lew Wilson Loyd, Lt. Col. Coleman Plaster, Brad Carter, John Shelley, Rod Whittington, Leonard Wynne, John Hewgley, John Moore, David Hurt, Dewey Gilliam, Forrester Rogers, and members of the South Pittsburg Rotary Club.

The family will receive visitors at the funeral home Sunday evening from 4-8 PM CDT and again on Monday from 2-4 prior to the services.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Wilson-Dawkins Academic Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 533, South Pittsburg, TN 37380.

The family would like to thank the staff of ManorHouse Assisted Living for their love and care of Mr. Wilson for 10 years. They would also like to thank Hospice of Chattanooga for their fine care and attention during the past few months.