Guy Wilson

Guy Nories Wilson died Tuesday, June 29th, after 100 years on this Earth.

Guy was born September 19th, 1920, in Henry County, and grew up plowing the fields and harvesting crops on his family’s farm in Paris, TN. In 1942, Guy was drafted into the United States Army Air Corps, where he served in the Pacific until the war ended in 1945, driving supplies to the front lines. He was proud of his military service, and his family is grateful to be able to pass his story down to future generations.

Guy married Martha Jane (Moon) Wilson in June 1947. They lived together in Paris, TN for 53 wonderful years until her passing in 1999.

To distill a life of 100 years into a few words is a considerable task. Guy was an avid fisherman. He was an expert gardener, growing a beautiful garden for many years just to give most of it away. He was a devout follower of Christ and a member of the Community of Christ. He was a purveyor of the finest peanut brittle (so fine that once a family of raccoons broke into his back porch to partake). He was a lifelong Braves and Volunteers fan. He was the kind of man that would give you the last quarter in his pocket if he knew it would lighten your load. He was a kind, caring, patient husband. He was a loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was a generous son, brother, and friend.

To summarize what the absence of Guy will mean to every person that knew him is impossible. In the days leading up to and since his passing, there have been many stories told of the ways that Guy helped the people in his life, in both big ways and small: whether it was teaching them to drive a stick shift, sending them home with a bag of his famous peanut brittle, or calling to give his highly anticipated performance of Happy Birthday, Guy lived in a way that demonstrated that love is more than just a word: It’s an action.

Guy is preceded in death by his first wife, Martha Jane Wilson; his second wife, Lois Emerson Wilson; his parents, Willie, and Annie (Green) Wilson; and siblings, Fred Wilson, Wilburn Wilson, Lorene Farris, Earl Wilson, and Addie Wilson.

Guy is survived by his sister, Clemonteen McClure; his son and daughter-in law, Larry, and Connie Wilson; his daughter and son-in-law, Sherry (Wilson) and Dale Robertson; his 10 grandchildren, Kenny, and Tabitha Robertson; Amy and Tobe Spain; Jennifer and C.D. Rhoton; Laurie and Justin Parrish; and Amanda Robertson and Will Herman, and his 9 great-grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Fletcher, and Braden Robertson; Christian, Abby, Emma, and Eli Rhoton; Landon Spain; and Layton Jane Parrish.

Visitation will be held at Ridgeway Funeral Home Monday, July 5th from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM and on Tuesday, July 6th from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM with the funeral service immediately following at 1:00 PM. Guy will be laid to rest beside the love of his life, Martha Jane, at Hill Crest Memorial Cemetery.

To honor Guy, please consider a donation to the American Heart Association (heart.org) or the ALS Association (als.org).