George Wilson

Tupelo - George Allen Wilson, 83, died Saturday, October 3, 2009, at the North Mississippi Medical Center after a brief illness. A native and life-long resident of Tupelo, he was born November 29, 1925 to Joel Sylvester and Alma Jackson Wilson. Immediately after graduating from East Tupelo High School in 1943, he joined the United States Navy. During World War II he was a tail gunner on a dive bomber stationed on the USS Saginaw Bay. While in the Navy, he was one of two sailors selected out of every 300 for aerial gunnery school where he was recognized for dismantling and assembling a 50 caliber machine gun in 318 seconds which was the record during WWII. After the war, he helped survey and worked on the construction of the Natchez Trace Parkway. He was the warehouse manager for Purnells Pride Chicken where he worked for over 37 years. Earlier in his life he was a member of the Industrial Club of Tupelo. He was married December 1, 1949 to Joanne Posey who preceded him in death March 2, 2000 after 50 years of marriage. He was a life-long member of First Baptist Church and was recognized for 40 years of invaluable service keeping the Church Sunday School Records. He also was an assistant scout master of Boy Scout Troop 4 at the Church. He was known for his large tomato garden and his generosity in giving the tomatoes he grew away. He was an avid Mississippi State fan and was a contributor to the Bulldog Club and was an MSU baseball season ticket holder. He also enjoyed playing golf.

Services will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 6, 2009 at The Jefferson Street Chapel of W. E. Pegues with Rev. Joe Lusby officiating. Burial with Military Honors will be in Tupelo Memorial Park.

Survivors include two sons, Steven Allen Wilson of Birmingham, Alabama and Gregory Dean Wilson of Tupelo; three sisters, Edna Wilson Brazil of Tupelo, Louise Holcomb of the Chesterville Community and Ann Lusby of Tupelo; four grandchildren, Cole Jamison Durant of Flowood, Elise Noelle Durant of Hattiesburg, Ellis Allen Wilson and Madelyn Marie Wilson both of Cary, North Carolina.

He was preceded in death by one daughter, Gail Wilson Durant on Novemeber 23, 1996; two brothers, Eugene Wilson and Joel Wilson; two sisters, Bernice Meador and Clara McDaniel.

His nephews will serve as pallbearers.

Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Ken Burnside Sunday School Class at First Baptist Church, members of his Friday Morning Breakfast Club and Charles Brazil.

Visitation will be 4 - 8 p.m. Monday, October 5, 2009 at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital, 501 St. Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to First Baptist Church, 300 N. Church St., Tupelo, MS 38804

Expressions of sympathy may be left at www.peguesfuneralhome.com