William L. Wilson

         Mr. William L. (Bill) Wilson of Decatur died Wednesday, June 30, 2010.

         He was born June 23, 1918, the first son of H. Grady and Anice Spears Wilson.

         He graduated from Decatur High School, then attended the University of Georgia,

         where he was manager of the men's basketball team, President of Pi Kappa Phi

         Fraternity, and played trombone in the Redcoat Band.  He graduated in 1941 with

         a B.S. in Agriculture.  After serving as an officer in the U.S. Army during WWII,

         he owned, operated and manufactured Wilson's Ice Cream in Decatur.  In 1948,

         he married Rosemary Griffin.  After closing Wilson's Ice Cream, he owned and

         operated Wilson's Garden Center and Landscaping in Decatur, during which time

         he designed and landscaped many residential and commercial properties,

         including the Georgia Governor's Mansion.  Bill was an avid camellia grower and

         member of the American Camellia Society, judging camellia shows throughout the

         Southeast.  He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Decatur, where he

         served as chair of deacons and in many other capacities.  He as a member of the

         Keystone and Alert Sunday School classes.  He designed and installed the

         courtyard garden at the church.  After closing the garden center, he joined the

         Baptist Home Mission Board, where he worked with volunteers, especially adult

         construction groups.  Bill was an owner of Morgan show horses, and later he and

         Rose Mary were competitors together in combined driving events around the

         country.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Rose Mary Wilson, and son,

         William L. Wilson, Jr.  He is survived by his daughter, Christy Wilson of Atlanta,

         son, John Wilson of Denver, CO, grandsons Ben, Matt and Brett Wilson, and

         numerous nephews and cousins.  The memorial service will be held Saturday,

         July 10 at the First Baptist Church of Decatur at 2:00 pm, with the Rev. Julie

         Pennington-Russell officiating.  In lieu of flowers, contributions may be  made          to Decatur            First Baptist Church, Global Missions Offering.  A. S. Turner & Sons