Rev. Ted Wilson, age 81, of Marion, affectionately known as “Shepherd”, passed into his eternal reward on Thursday, April 26, 2012 at Mountain Ridge Wellness Center in Black Mountain.  He was born July 1, 1930 in Licking County, Ohio to the late Fred and Iva Wakely Wilson.  Rev. Wilson was a pastor in the Wesleyan church for more than 50 years.  He was devoted to his family, never losing his roots from life on the farm.  He loved the outdoors, especially hiking.  

Saddened by his loss are his wife of 60 years, Rev. Velma Bryant Wilson; three children, Dr. Michael Wilson and his wife Patty of Noblesville, IN, Rachael Maxwell and husband Clifford of Annapolis, MD, and Dori Jones of Old Fort; four grandchildren, Micah Wilson, Joshua Maxwell, Maren Oslund, and Gabe Jones; six great grandchildren, Elliott, Jaden, Lola, Myla, Benjamin, and Joshua, Jr; and two brothers and one sister.

A memorial service will be held Monday, April, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. in the chapel of Westmoreland Funeral Home, with the Rev. Claude Kayler officiating. The family will receive friends from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a memorial donation in Rev. Wilson’s memory are asked to consider Trinity Christian School, 299 Deter Street, Rutherfordton, NC 28139 or JDRF (Junior Diabetes Research Foundation) 26 Broadway, 14th Floor, New York, NY 10004. Rev. Wilson’s grandson, Jaden, has Type 1 diabetes.

Charitable donations may be made in Ted's memory to the following organization: