George Bishop Wilson
February 4, 1943 ~ August 20, 2021
George Bishop Wilson
George Bishop Wilson, 78 years of age and a life time resident of Alachua, Florida departed this life on August 20, 2021. He suffered many years with a serious heart condition and had his final heart attack at our local grocery store. He was transported to North Florida Regional Medical Center where he died the next day.
George is survived by his wife of 50 years, Susan Douglas Wilson, his daughter Sheree Wilson Lewis of Alachua, his son Thaddeus Christopher Wilson and his wife, Jennifer of Alachua, his daughter April Wilson Bailey of Alachua, grandchildren, Alysha Lewis Bruner of Alachua, Zachary Lewis of NC, Mollie Wilson Moffat of Brisbane, Australia, Tyler Wilson of Gainesville, Gavin Banks (step) of Worthington Springs, Isabella Wilson of Alachua, Hayden Bailey of Alachua, and great granddaughters, Amy Gilbert and Aubrey Bruner both of Alachua. He is also survived by three sisters Audrey Wilson Irby and her husband Lewis of Gainesville, Elaine Wilson Wills of Gainesville and Imogene Wilson Seeger and her husband Veen of Alachua. His brothers in law, Edgar Haddock of Callahan and Tommy Collar of High Springs, along with 2 nieces, 5 nephews, a couple of uncles, many cousins and friends.
His mother Martha Owens Wilson, his father Aubrey Bishop Wilson, his stepmother Irene Mayo Wilson, his sisters Betty Wilson Johnson and Christine Wilson Haddock, his brother in law, Jim Wills and step granddaughter Holly Bunting preceded him in death.
George was born February 1943 in Alachua, Florida on his family farm south of Alachua to Aubrey and Ellen Owens Wilson. He was the only boy in the family, with four older sisters, Audrey, Betty, Christine and Elaine. His mother Ellen died when George was very young. His father remarried a special woman, Irene Mayo. Irene mothered George and his older sisters. Aubrey and Irene also had a daughter, Imogene, making the total of five sisters. They were raised as a close knit farm family. George was spoiled by all those sisters.
George attended school in Alachua. Meanwhile him and his sisters helped on the farm, doing all the chores that went along with farm life. In 1961, after he graduated from Santa Fe High School, he attended community college in Palatka for approximately one year prior to joining the United
States Air Force. George served his Country on active duty for four years, then as a reservist until January 1969. Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi was where he went for basic training and was educated in electronics. Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland was his station for the remainder of his term. He worked as an aircraft radio maintenance technician. He was married to Irene Cannon during his time in the service. Their daughter, Donna Sheree was born while they were in Biloxi, Mississippi.
It was turbulent times for our Country during George’s military service. We were in the middle of the cold war and the Cuban Missile Crisis. Duck and cover drills were practiced weekly in schools and wealthier people were building fall out shelters. President John F Kennedy was assassinated November 1963. Andrews Air Force Base stayed on high alert during the time that George was on active duty. January 1965, George was a part of the Inauguration of President Lyndon Johnson.
After leaving the military, his first marriage ended. George married Susan Douglas, December 1970. Their children Thaddeus Christopher and April Marie were born in Gainesville and raised on the Wilson farm. George and Susan celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary 2020.
George worked for Kilgore in Alachua for several years, before going to work for North Florida Telephone Company in 1971. The local company was brought several times during the twenty-five years of his employment. He retired from Alltel in December 1995. He had twenty-six years of retirement to enjoy being on the farm, helping raise grandkids, tending goats, watching wildlife and the enjoying night sky and thunder storms.
Hunting and fishing were favorite pastimes for George. He was a member of the Gilchrist County Sportsmen’s Club. The camaraderie of this band of men was a special part of his life. He loved many of his fellow members like brothers. Local rivers and the gulf were the places he liked to fish with family and friends.
George was cremated under the direction of Crevasse’s. For anyone wishing to make a contribution in George’s memory may do so to the Salvation Army, 639 East University Ave, Gainesville, FL
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I’m thinking of you at this time Susan. I grew up with George, but i always knew him as Buddy. At times it’s so hard to find the words that best convey The many thoughts of sympathy our hearts would like to say. With my Deepest Sympathy. 🙏🙏Nadine W Martin 🌹