James William Wilson

James “Jay” William Wilson, 83, passed away at his home in Conyers, GA, on Feb. 9 of stomach cancer. Jay loved quiet time with family, playing and watching sports and the satisfaction of a job well done. A native of Louisville, KY, Jay had lived in and around Conyers for nearly 40 years. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Betty Jo Wilson, four daughters, Deborah Ann Brown and husband, Terry, of Charlotte, N.C.; Lorri Montgomery, and husband, Dan, of Newport News, VA; Lyndi Houston and husband, Rusty, of Americus, Georgia; and Libby Allen of Conyers. He is also survived by eight grandchildren, Chris Brown, Kelly Wise, Cameron Clair, Jodi Parker, Gentry Houston, Emily Montgomery, Jackie Harbin, and Wil Allen; seven great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews, a sister-in-law, and loving cousins. He also leaves behind his beloved Schnauzer, Abby. Jay was predeceased by his mother, Nora Edwards Wilson; his father, Cameron Wilson; his brother, George Wilson; and a great grandson, Max Wise. Jay was born in Louisville, KY, July 17, 1929. He attended school in Fort Knox and graduated from the University of Louisville. Jay retired in 1988, after 25 years with Liberty Mutual Insurance Co. The job took him from Louisville to Charlotte, NC, where he and his family lived for 10 years, and then to Atlanta, where he stayed until retirement. Jay and Jo made Conyers their home for more than 20 years before moving to Greensboro, GA, where they stayed for 10 years. They moved back to Conyers in 2002. Jay and Jo met while students at Fort Knox High School, became girlfriend and boyfriend and never looked back. They were married in 1948. The two of them epitomized what a marriage should be: exciting, challenging, loving, trusting, rewarding -- and forever. As death neared, Jay was asked to sum up his feelings for his wife. “Where would I start?” he said. “And where would I end?” Jay’s greatest pleasure was spending time with his family. He was an amazing father who never wavered in his support for his four daughters. Jay’s love of sports also shaped and enriched his life. His early years were spent watching his father play baseball for the Louisville Colonels. When Jay was 4 years old, he was sitting on his grandfather’s lap in the Colonel’s stadium watching his father play ball, when his grandfather suffered a heart attack and died. Jay’s own athletic talent was evident on the Fort Knox High School basketball team, which he helped lead to state championships in 1946. Later in life, golf became his sport of choice where in his 70s he enjoyed a 13 handicap. He certainly never feared losing a round to any of his sons-in-law or grandsons. Jay spent many great rounds golfing with his wife, family, and friends on the Fieldstone Golf Course and then the courses of Reynolds Plantation in Greensboro. At Reynolds, he proudly made two holes-in-one. Jo and Jay’s faith was a deep foundation for their lives. Jay had a strong sense of morality, and he loved to hear or read about underdogs who prevailed and sports and business stars who remained humble and helped the less fortunate. Jay converted to Catholicism later in life and was a long-time member of St. Pius Catholic Church in Conyers, Ga. The family wishes to thank Jackie McIntosh-Grant and the team at Evercare Hospice, Carla Dawkins of Visiting Home Nurse, Dr. Richard Carter and his staff of Atlanta Cancer Care, and Father John Kieran of St. Pius Catholic Church. A memorial Mass will be held at noon, Saturday, Feb. 16, at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Conyers. A reception will follow at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes donations are made to the Gastric Cancer Foundation. Scot Ward Funeral Services, 699 American Legion Road, Conyers, 30012, 770-483-7216.

James William Wilson

July 17, 1929 - February 9, 2013