Jimmy Wilson

"Hiking the Trails with Jesus" Canton – Jimmy Eugene Wilson, age 59, departed earth on Monday, September 14, 2015 after a brief 61 days with cancer. Jimmy was employed at Evergreen Packaging for the last 40 years, having worked in the cell room, sheeting and utilities and recovery departments. He was a coal handler. He was a member of the North Carolina Wildlife Lifetime Sportsman since 1987. Jimmy was the first president and charter member of the Canton Jaycees, charter member of the Tuckaseegee Beagle Gun Dog Club, member of the United Beagle Gun Dog Federation, Deep South Gun Dog Federation, where his beloved beagle, Princess Patra, placed NBQ in the the UBGF and was the National Champion DSGF in 1986. His love of beagling was passed from his father, Gene, to him, and on to his sons, Paul and Justin. Opening day of rabbit season was always the Saturday before Thanksgiving, and of course, going rabbit hunting was a day to miss school. Jimmy was very active in the Canton Little League where he held various positions, including President, Vice President and coach. This is where the love of the game was passed on to his players and friends. His passion for fast pitch, slow pitch, baseball and softball, and any other on the diamond was his joy. Watching his children, Katelynn and Justin play softball and baseball, from Little League to middle school to high school to college, in addition, to all other players that he coached or knew, truly touched his heart. His new love became hiking. Jimmy's last hike was the first of May, where he completed all of the trails of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park which is an accomplishment of 850 miles. His dear brother, Tommy Sorrells had also completed the 850 miles of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Together they had started the Appalachian Trail "AT" going from Springer Mountain, Georgia to Roan Mountain, Tennessee about 375 miles and had also completed over 105 miles in the Shenandoah National Park. Another dear brother, Kenneth Johnson, hiked many trails with Jimmy in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Appalachian Trail as well as bicycling the Virginia Creeper Trail. His love of Friday night Pisgah Bear football was another of Jimmy's favorites. He enjoyed cheering for Pisgah with his amazing little sister Lisa Willis and daughters, KJ and Hayley. BUT, his greatest love was baseball. Jimmy leaves his loving wife, Glenda L.G. Wilson, having celebrated 31 years of marriage on September 8. He is survived by their daughter, Katelynn A. Wilson Fitzsimmons (husband, Andy) and grandson, Aiden James Fitzsimmons, all of Brookville, Pennsylvania; their son, Justin M. Wilson of Jacksonville, Florida; his son, Paul A. Wilson, granddaughter, Sierra Nicole Wilson and great-granddaughter, Aliyah Marie Wilson all of Clyde; mother, Helen Donaldson Wilson; and sister, Carolyn Cooper, both of Waynesville. He is also survived by his dear brothers and friends, Kenneth Johnson and Tommy Sorrells; his amazing sister, Phyllis Sutton Albury, as well as his amazing little sister, Lisa Gibson Willis and smaller sisters, KJ and Hayley Willis; along with lots of family and friends. A celebration of Jimmy's life will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 19, 2015 at Canton First Baptist Church. The family would appreciate all that attend the celebration to bring a written memory of Jimmy to share with them. Baskets will be available to place your memories in. To honor and remember Jimmy, a softball tournament will be held at Bethel Christian Academy on Saturday and Sunday, September 19 and 20th. In honoring Jimmy's love of baseball and hiking, remember him by going to an Asheville Tourists game or take a hike on the trails of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park or Appalachian Trail. At a later date, Jimmy would like for us to have a potluck picnic will be held at the Canton Recreation Park. Be in awe of the creation of God, just as I hiked my trails. I am walking with Jesus.

Previous Events