On Saturday, March 25th, 2023, God called for another soul in Heaven, and Bill answered His calling. Billy Bruce Wilson, age 84, of the Pensacola Community, was a son of the late Charles Denver and Mary Hensley Wilson, and the great-grandson of Big Tom Wilson. He was also preceded in death by four brothers: Ward, Ed, Max and Don Wilson; two sisters: Ethel Earwood and Jean Allen; a friend, Jim Edmiston, who he thought of as a brother.
Bill loved working with his wife, Peggy, in everything they did; completing projects around their home, hosting Wilson reunions for more than thirty years, operating Bill & Peggy’s Tree Farm, and supporting their children and grandchildren in every way. Bill worked diligently with Peggy to preserve their family history through storytelling, which he loved to share with family and friends. He treasured spending time with many friends, as well as his classmates from Burnsville High School, class of 1957. Bill proudly served his country in the U.S. Army, and was an active and devoted member of the Republican Party. He was a founding member of Pensacola Volunteer Fire Department and attended Bible Baptist Church. He retired from Wilson Mobile Home Repairs in Asheville.
Surviving is his loving wife of 61 years and best friend, Peggy Atkins Wilson, whom he cherished and adored; three daughters: Angie Wilson (John Mallow) of Erwin, TN, Annette Jones (Scott) of Burnsville, and Audrey Tipton (Patrick) of Green Mountain; three grandchildren: Priscilla Whitson (Dewey) of Green Mountain, Elena Tipton (Cody Clark) of Jonesborough, TN, and BJ Tipton (Sarah) of Green Mountain; four great-grandchildren: Cameron Bauduin of Jonesborough, TN, and Bailie, Colten and Marlie Jane Whitson of Green Mountain; five sisters-in-law: Flora Wilson of Asheville, Ruby Wilson of Burnsville, Lois Wilson of Barnardsville, Linda Jackson of Asheville, and Patricia Collins of Connelly Springs. He is also survived by a host of nieces and nephews whom he dearly loved.
A memorial service will be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 28th in the chapel of Yancey Funeral Service. Rev. Scott McIntosh will officiate. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home.
The family would like to thank Hospice and Palliative Care of the Blue Ridge for the care and compassion shown to Bill and the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of the Blue Ridge, 236 Hospital Drive, Spruce Pine, NC 28777, or Bible Baptist Church, 310 Tipton Drive, Green Mountain, NC 28740. To send online condolences, please visit our website at www.yanceyfuneralservice.com.
