James Alvin Wilson, 87, died Thursday, August 4, 2011.
A graveside service will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 7, 2011 at Sunnyside Cemetery in Scotland Neck. The Reverend Rob Licht will be presiding.
Alvin was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He graduated from Scotland Neck High School and from North Carolina State University in 1946. He played baseball at N.C. State and was known by his friends as Jimmy Wilson, and later played semi-pro baseball with the Sanford Spinners. After baseball, he returned to Scotland Neck, where he was known as Alvin, and worked the family farm with his father and his sons until his retirement. He was the first president of Scotfield Country Club and he and his wife, Billie, were very active in their church and community, having friends from the beach to Lake Gaston.
Alvin was preceded in death by his parents, Jerry Lewis Wilson and Birdie Dickens Wilson; his wife, Billie Cherry Wilson; his brother, Odell Wilson; and his sisters, Hilda Wilson Rogister, and Mae Wilson Hux.
He is survived by a daughter, Ellen Wilson Panella of Apex; two sons, Jimmy Wilson and wife Joan and Bill Wilson and wife Susan all of Scotland Neck; eight grandchildren, David Panella, Michael Panella, Lauren Panella, Tim Wilson, Rod Wilson, Jerry Wilson, Katy Wilson Hunter, and Dan Wilson; three great-grandchildren, Mary Charlotte Wilson, Mary Blake Hunter, and William Atworth Wilson; and his beloved dog, Lucky.
The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Saturday, August 6, 2011 at Letchworth Funeral Home in Scotland Neck.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the American Red Cross, 326 South Franklin Street, Rocky Mount, NC 27804.
Arrangements are being handled by Letchworth Funeral Home in Scotland Neck.