Grady was born in Panola County, Mississippi, February 22, 1941, to Walter Guy and Ava Carline Wilson. He was their only child.
He received a Bachelors degree from Mississippi State University in Chemical Engineering and also a Bachelors and Masters in Aero Engineering. Grady was most proud of the fact that while at MSU, he earned his pilots license after being taught to fly by Mr. Camp. He was also a member of ROTC while at Mississippi State.
After graduation, Grady entered the United States Army, where he continued his career as a pilot. After two tours in Vietnam, he was selected to train at the Naval Test Pilot School in Patuxent River, Maryland, for his career as a test pilot. He was proud of his career in the United States Armed Forces and of his contribution to the aviation community as a test pilot.
Grady and Barbara made many happy memories traveling the world together and experiencing the different cultures.
Grady was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Barbara Atwood Wilson, and a stepson, Edwin Dean Scott.
There will be a visitation on Monday, July 1, 2024 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at Welch Funeral Home in Starkville, MS. There will be a graveside service on Tuesday, July 2, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. in Biloxi National Cemetery in Biloxi, MS.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation can be made in Grady’s honor to the education fund of The Society of Experimental Test Pilots at Post Office Box 986, Lancaster, California 93584-0986. These funds are used to pay for the college education for the children of pilots who died.
