Roy Wilson

Roy Lee Wilson, 81, of the Idlewild community near Athens, died Sunday, Jan. 12, 2014, at Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga. A native of Meigs County and longtime resident of McMinn County he was a son of the late Bruce Lee and Hazel Davis Wilson and was also preceded in death by two brothers, Bruce Lee Wilson Jr. and James Earl Wilson. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Athens where he was a member of the John Offutt Sunday School class. He was a member of Meigs Lodge #213 F&AM, where he had served as a former Worshipful Master and received his 50-year pin in 2008. He was associated with Bowater for 40 years in the paper mill department, until his retirement. He had served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War and served with the Tennessee National Guard. He is survived by his wife, Shirley Holland Wilson, of Athens; two daughters and two son-in-law, Donna and Jerry Elkins, of Ooltewah and Cheryl and Scott Roberts, of Athens; one son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Dianne Wilson, of Athens; three granddaughters, Holly(Mitchell) Hollis, Samantha Roberts, Stephanie Hale; one grandson, Joseph Todd(Felicia) Elkins; seven great-grandchildren; three sisters, Bernice Hyde, of Decatur, Betty Matthews, of Loudon and Glenda (Robert) Greene, of Decatur; and two brothers, J.B. Wilson and Ross Wilson, both of Decatur. A funeral service will be conducted 7 p.m. today, Jan. 14, 2014, in the chapel of Smith Funeral Home with Dr. Jason Clark and Rev. Bob Thomas officiating. There will be a Masonic service at 6:15 pm at the funeral home provided by Meigs Lodge #213 F&AM. The committal service will be 11 a.m. Wednesday in Idlewild Cemetery with military honors at the graveside provided by the U.S. Air Force. The family will receive friends from 4 -6:30 p.m. today at the funeral home prior to the service. Pallbearers will be Charles McHone, Jason Wilson, Stan Hyde, Stephen Wilson, Corey Hyde, Larry Wells, Russ Ford and Brad Harris. The family suggests memorials be made to First Baptist Church Building Fund, 305 Ingleside Ave., Athens, TN 37303. If you are unable to attend this service or visitation you may sign the guest register at www.smithfuneral&cremationservicesofathens.com.