William O. "Bill" Wilson, Jr.

William Odum Wilson, Jr., was born on June 22nd, 1928, in Atlanta, Georgia. He started as Billy Wilson and ended up as Bill. He has lived his whole life in Atlanta, a place he dearly loved. He went to Atlanta Boys High, then to Emory University which was interrupted by 4 years in the Air Force. Most of his term was stationed in Wiesbaden, Germany, where he taught radio school as a Staff Sergeant. It was during this time that the red-headed Bill Wilson became a Christian, a major turning point in his life. From the Air Force, he went back to Emory, finished his time there and then went to Westminster Theological Seminary. He thought he was headed for a career as a minister and briefly held a church in New Jersey. He was lovingly told by the elders that this wasn't God's path for him. He returned to Atlanta and began working at the family business, Lunsford Wilson Co. Being in the funeral business allowed him to be able to be a minister and friend to so many more people than he could have reached in a little church.

He met the love of his life, Brenda (Bea) Wilson in the choir of their church. She asked him for a ride home from church one Sunday and the rest is history. They have had 55 years of a truly real, beautiful marriage. Their 2 children, Kitty and Ben, were raised in a home full of love, love for people and love for God. He also loved being an elder in his church, Redeemer Presbyterian Church for 50 years. Bill served for 48 years on the Board of Directors at Westminster Theological Seminary. Bill also served on the Board of Directors at DeKalb Christian Academy. Through this he has enjoyed mentoring so many strong Christian men. Bill has lived life enjoying food and music and family and friends. He has loved and blessed so many people and been loved and blessed back. We, as his family, are so thankful he is now strong and whole with the God he loves. He's got his red hair back now and is probably enjoying a good meal with Jesus and all his family and friends who have been waiting for him. He will be deeply missed.

Bill is survived by his wife, Brenda Wilson, son, Ben Wilson, and daughter, Kitty Coman; brother-in-law, Dan Reece; sister-in-law, Judy Clark; and four grandchildren: Sam Coman, Claire Coman, Mary Wilson, and Elizabeth Wilson. Visitation will be held from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM on Saturday, February 1, 2020 at A.S. Turner and Sons Funeral Home & Crematory. The funeral service will begin at 2:00 PM, immediately following the visitation. Pastor Zaki Weldeyesus will be officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bill's name to the Clarkston Mercy Ministry of Redeemer OPC Church at 3930 Chamblee Tucker Road Atlanta, Georgia 30340, contact number (770)-938-7272.