Charles McGill Wilson, known as Charlie to most, died Wednesday, June 15, 2016, at the age of 45. His passing left holes in the hearts of friends and loved ones that will never be filled, but he also left everyone who knew him with many fond memories that still make us smile.
Charlie graduated from Sheffield High School in 1989 and immediately entered the Army under the buddy system with Mike Kantor, joining the 7th Light Infantry at Fort Ord, California just in time to deploy with the Manchus of the 9th Infantry Regiment for combat operations in Panama as part of Operation JUST CAUSE. While the rumor was he phoned his brother crying when he found out about the deployment (which Charlie vehemently denied), you would never know it a month later when he redeployed with a Combat Infantry Badge, combat patch, and war stories of his time there as a soldiering machine. Following his tour with the 7th, Charlie transferred to the 2nd Infantry Division in Korea.
After honorable discharge from the service in 1992, Charlie returned home to Sheffield and attended NWSCC and UNA. He worked at UPS for over 20 years and was a proud member of the Local 402 Teamsters Union. He married Kristin Starkey Wilson in 2001, who precedes Charlie on his latest path. They have two children, Ragan Hope and Reese McGill.
An avid sports fan, Charlie loved Alabama football, North Carolina Tar Heels basketball, Braves baseball, and the Kansas City Chiefs. He enjoyed golfing with family and friends (whether he was any good is questionable), but he loved nothing more than watching Reese pitch and watching Ragan perform in musicals. They always looked forward to their annual trips to Braves Stadium, Gatlinburg, and Gulf Shores.
Charlie was also preceded in death by his father, Richard Wilson, and his sister-in-law, Jennifer Wright Wilson.
In addition to his children, he is survived by parents, Pat and Jim Walton; brothers, Richard Wilson (Jamie), Chris Farmer (Angela), Michael Farmer (Tess), Glenn Walton (Mary), and Jason Walton; special niece, Sydney Richardson (Brandon); best friend, Mike Kantor; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
For anyone wishing to participate in the celebration of Charlie’s life, visitation will be held at Morrison Funeral Home in Tuscumbia today from 6 to 8 p.m. A funeral service will be held on Saturday at 11 a.m. at Launch Point Church in Tuscumbia. Pallbearers will be Richard Wilson, Chris Farmer, Michael Farmer, Brandon Richardson, Mike Kantor, Eric Gifford, and Glenn Walton (honorary). In lieu of flowers, consider donating to United Cerebral Palsy of Northwest Alabama, in honor of Grady Richardson, or to the American Cancer Society.
An online guestbook is available at morrisonfuneralhomes.com.
