James "Bobby" Robert Wilson

James Robert (Bobby) Wilson, 95, passed away Thursday, August 29, 2024, at Regional Rehabilitation Hospital in Phenix City, Alabama.  The son of Jeptha and Ruth Wilson, he was born on April 25, 1929, in Iva, South Carolina.

He was married to Mary Jean Clayton, the love of his life, for 67 years until death separated them in 2017.   A member of Lakewood Baptist Church, he sang in the choir and served as a deacon and Sunday School teacher. A brick and stone mason by trade, Bobby carried on the craft of his Wilson ancestors for almost 70 years.  He had an inventive mind and could always come up with a solution that seemed impossible. Countless buildings, houses and commercial structures in Alabama and Georgia were built with bricks laid by Bobby Wilson and crew.   He used to say that it was a source of great personal pride to know that, unless they are deliberately torn down, there are scores of buildings in this area with his fingerprints on them that will be here long after he’s gone. 

He believed in quality built homes and constructed the three houses where he raised his family.  He loved singing, playing the guitar, gospel music, 70s rock classics and reading.  He loved Auburn, the Atlanta Braves, Little Debbies and raw oysters.  He enjoyed discussing and analyzing politics and the news of the day. He was a master country cook and his cubed steak, creamed potatoes, fried chicken, oyster stew and lemon ice box pie were the stuff of family legend. 

Bobby instilled a love of God and a strong work ethic in his children.  He loved animals and rescued many that became cherished family pets. He loved the Lord and his family above all. His grandchildren and great grands were the apples of his eye; you never had to ask about their accomplishments because he would tell you during the conversation. . We will miss his stories, his sunny disposition, his caring spirit and his Godly wisdom, above all.  We love you Daddy. (Grandaddy, Papa, Tata, Uncle Bobby)

Bobby Wilson is survived by his children, Carol (Gary) Holloway, Cathy (Larry) Weaver, Robert (Linda) Wilson of Phenix City, Mark (Janet) Wilson of Auburn, Alabama and Julie (Earl) Thaxton of Montgomery, Alabama. He is also survived by ten grandchildren, Kyndal (Eric) Young, Whitney (Wayne) Brown, Lindsey Napier, Heather (Scott) Copeland, Erin Wilson, Ethan (Catherine) Wilson, Amanda (Chris)Beck, Jessica (Jason) Walters, Benjamin (Linna) Weinbaum and Rod Thaxton, sixteen great grandchildren, a sister, Ellen Wright of South Carolina, sister-in-law, Jackie (Don)Latham of South Carolina, sister-in-law, Linda Blanton of Columbus, Georgia, special nieces and nephews and extended family and friends.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James "Bobby" Robert Wilson, please visit our floral store.