Leroy "Gene" Wilson

AIKEN - Mr. Leroy "Gene" Wilson, 92, widower of the late Vera Shropshier Wilson, passed away Friday, January 1, 2016. A graveside service will be held at 1:00 PM Wednesday, January 6, 2016 in Aiken Memorial Gardens with the Reverend Ed Jackson officiating. Mr. Wilson was born in Lexington, SC to the late John C and Blanche R. Wilson. One of 9 children, Mr. Wilson graduated Boiling Springs High School; Boiling Springs, SC in 1941, and in 1943 enlisted in US Marine Corps where he served in the Pacific Theatre, WWII from 1943-1946. He was married 63 years to late Vera Shropshier Wilson. He attended Wofford College, transferred and graduated Clemson College-1951 with Textile Engineering degree. After graduation, began working in the textile industry; being superintendent of Clifton Mills, Clifton, SC. He was recruited by Kimberly- Clark Corporation and spent the remainder of his textile career with KC; working at Berkley Mills, Hendersonville, NC; Kimberly-Clark headquarters in Neenah, Wisconsin and Kimberly-Clark, Beech Island, SC, until his retirement in 1987. After retirement, he developed a quality consulting business, as well as taught Quality Management at Augusta College. For 28 years,Mr. Wilson worked as a volunteer with the Aiken County Adult Education , English as a Second Language. He also tutored elementary and middle school students in Reading and English. Mr. Wilson was a County School Board member, President of Hendersonville Chamber of Commerce, Past president of Hendersonville Sertoma Club, Iptay member, and member St John’s United Methodist Church, Hendersonville, NC He was preceded in death by brothers, Dick Wilson, John Wilson, Paul Wilson, Bill Wilson; sisters, Mary Greene, Alice Grace Johnson, Nell High and Betty Gardner. He is survived by his daughter, Pam W. (Tom), Galardi, Aiken; a son, Greg P. (Melissa) Wilson, Austin, TX; a grandchild, Frank T. Galardi, Aiken. Numerous nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank his special caregiver, Haleigh Taylor. The family will receive friends from 5:30-7:30 PM, Tuesday, January 5 at the home of Tom and Pam Galardi, 140 Foxwood Dr., Aiken, SC 29803 The family has requested that memorials be directed to St John’s United Methodist Church- Outreach Language Program, 104 Newberry St NW, Aiken, SC 29801, or the Alzheimer’s Association, South Carolina Chapter, 4124 Clemson Blvd – Suite L, Anderson, SC 29621. SHELLHOUSE FUNERAL HOME, INC., 924 HAYNE AVE., AIKEN, SC Mr. Wilson’s online guest book may be signed by visiting www.shellhousefuneralhome.com To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Leroy "Gene" Wilson, please visit our flower store.