George Wilson

George Raymond Wilson, 89 years of age, of Stanfield, died Friday, December 5, 2014 of old age and multiple systems failures, surrounded by his loving wife of 60 years, Julia Parks Wilson, and his loving family.

Ray was born January 22, 1925 in Mecklenburg County to the late Clifford Elonzo Wilson and the late Sarah Brackett Wilson. He was also preceded in death by his parents-in-law James Lee Parks and Cammie Johnston Parks; eldest son, Robert Anthony "Tony" Wilson and youngest daughter, Debra Hefner and husband, Guy Hefner, Jr.; brothers, Nathan and Joyce Wilson and Cliff and Maxine Wilson.

Ray was educated at Central High in Charlotte and joined the Army during WWII. He was a proud family man and loved his family, friends and church family of Love's Grove United Methodist Church, where he was a member and served on various committees and boards. He was a Sunday School teacher for over 47 years during his life until his health began to decline. He taught at Dilworth United Methodist Church in Charlotte and moved his family from Charlotte to Stanfield in 1975. He was the office manager and assistant to the general manager for Parks-Cramer Co. in Charlotte. Upon his retirement, he bought a new car and took Mom on a month long journey across the US, visiting 17 states on their trip. At 69, he was a volunteer on a mission trip with Love's Grove UMC to Monterrey, Mexico to help build a church. Ray loved to play golf, work in the garden and share his bounty with family, neighbors and friends, read the newspaper, watch CNN and sports, being outside riding his tractor or lawnmower, and he especially loved sharing his faith with everyone he met.

The funeral service will be at 11:00 AM, Monday, December 8, 2014 at Love's Grove United Methodist Church in Stanfield with Rev. Jim White officiating. The body will lie in state for 30 minutes prior to the service. Burial will follow at the church cemetery, 4360 Polk Ford Road, Stanfield. The family will receive friends following the service in the fellowship hall.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, George "Randy" Wilson and David Wilson of the home; Nathan Wilson and wife, Barbara; and Libby Watts and husband, Danny, all of Stanfield; eight grandchildren, Daniel, Jared and Ethan and Kasey Watts, Tina Goss, Marilyn and Elizabeth Smith, Marcus Hefner, and Amie and Wade Love; seven great-grandchildren, Logan Baucom, Trevor Goss, Owen Love, Angel, Gracyn and Nevaeh Smith, and his pride and joy, Ansley Danielle Watts; sister, Sarah Short and husband, Billy of Tega Cay, SC; brother, John Wilson and wife, Maxine of Columbia SC; brothers-in-law, Paul Parks and wife, Eve of Union Mills, and Jimmy Parks and wife, Robbie of Ezington, VA; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to Love's Grove United Methodist Church Building Fund, 4360 Polk Ford Road, Stanfield, NC 28163 or the Hospice and Community Care of Troy, 120 North Main Street, Troy, NC 27371.

The family would like to thank the staff of Hospice and Community Care of Troy, and especially acknowledge the love and support shown by Shannon Henry, RN, Tammy, Janice, Angela, Chelsea, Melissa, Beth, Misty McAden, Chaplain, Jennifer, and Edward Kepp, MD and Gregory Russell, MD.

Hartsell Funeral Home of Midland is serving the Wilson family.

Online condolences may be made at www.hartsellfh.com