James “Jim” Nathan Wilson, 89, of Double Springs, formerly of Arley, passed away on Monday, September 6, 2021 at Lakeland Community Hospital in Haleyville.
James was born on December 9, 1931 to Owen Wilson and Alma Cook Wilson in Arley, Alabama. He graduated from Meek High School and graduated from Walker College, where he was on the college’s first men’s basketball team. He joined the Navy in 1951 where he attended boot camp at Great Lakes, Illinois, and was then assigned to the U.S.S New Jersey (BB-62) during the Korean War. He served from 1951 to 1955. During his service, he was awarded the following medals and citations: Good Conduct Medal, the Korean Medal, the China Service Medal, the United Nations Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the National Defense Medal.
After leaving the military, he was a carpenter by trade and worked for many years in that occupation until his retirement.
James loved Alabama Football, fishing with his daughter and grandchildren, loved his family and especially his wife of 59 years. James married the love of his life on June 3, 1958 and was a devoted husband until her death in 2017.
James is survived by his son: Jeff Wilson and his wife, Cathy; his daughter: Kathy Wilson Wakefield; his grandchildren: Timonthy Wilson, Thomas Wilson, Rachel Gilbreath, Samantha Rogers, Candi Morgan, Stephen Scott, Holly Harmening, MaCayla Ridgeway, Brian Beck, David Beck, Michael Beck and their families.
James was preceded in death by his beloved wife: Martha Everett Wilson; his parents: Owen Wilson and Alma Wilson and his son-in-law: Steven Wakefield.
Visitation will be held Saturday, September 11, 2021 from 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. at Nichols Funeral Home in Double Springs, Alabama where the funeral services will begin at 2:00 p.m. Brother Roland Gilliland and Dr. Bill Tittle will officiate. Burial will follow in Meek Cemetery in Arley, Alabama.
Pallbearers will be Timonthy Wilson, Thomas Wilson, Michael Beck, Bobby Key, Ken Mobley and Tim Gilbreath.
