Bobby "Rutt" W. Wilson

Bobby “Rutt” William Wilson

On Thursday, April 12, 2018, Bobby passed away at Aiken Regional Medical Centers, Bobby was 55 years old.

 Bobby Wilson was born in Easley, South Carolina on August 1, 1962. He was the son, of the late JoAnn McJunkins and Bobby Joe Wilson, both preceded him in death. Bobby was a member of the Congregation Children of Israel Temple in Augusta, Georgia.

 Bobby grew up in the Glenwood section of Easley, graduating from Easley High School in 1980. After working several years in the textile industry at Southern Weaving in Easley, Bobby enlisted in the United States Army as a Multichannel Communications Equipment Operator. With nearly a decade of service, his overseas duty stations included Germany and Korea. His primary duty station in the U.S. was Fort Gordon, Georgia where he served with the 67^th Signal Battalion, as well as the 442^nd Signal Battalion as an Instructor at the U.S. Army Signal School. He was selected as a U.S. Army Recruiter while assigned in South Korea. He attended Recruiter School at Fort Benjamin Harrison Indiana with assignment to U.S. Army Recruiting Command Niagara Falls, New York.

Bobby separated from the U.S. Army in 1992 when he was hired by the Easley Police Department as a Patrolman. After attending the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy where he received his law enforcement certification and a year of service at the Easley Police Department, he was hired by the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office as a deputy. Bobby was promoted to patrol sergeant, training lieutenant and patrol captain under the late Sheriff Howard Sellers and Captain Support Services under Sheriff Michael Hunt. He was a certified Firearms and Driving instructor through the academy. He served as law enforcement supervisor for the Aiken County COBRA Team, and was a Communications specialist with the federal SC-1 DMAT Team.

Growing up in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains he enjoyed hunting and fishing with his family and friends. During his high school days Bobby was an avid roller skater, spending most of his spare time with his close friends (MOOHA’S) at Skate Around USA in Easley. Born and raised only miles from Clemson University, Bobby was a Gamecock fan. He was disowned by the entire family during football season and unable to escape Aunt Joyce’s wrath regardless of his location in the world if Carolina lost.

Bobby, of Scottish descent, took up the bagpipes and taught himself to play. He started the Aiken County Sheriff’s Pipes & Drums and was an active member of Clan Gunn of North America and Clan Ross.

At nearly 50 years old he fulfilled a life long desire to skydive, making his first tandem jump. His desire grew and went on to begin his AFF Accelerated Free Fall training to become a certified parachutist. He was an active member of the US Parachute Association.

Bobby found his faith and converted to Judaism on 3 January 2016.

Bobby was preceded in death by his son Zachary.

Bobby is survived by his wife Susan Beth Bankoff Wilson, two daughters Brandy Rae Wilson of Aiken, SC and Meagan Lynn Wilson of Augusta, Georgia and their mother Kellie Rene Quinn of Evans, Georgia, step daughter Amanda Schmeltz Ventura and her husband Christian Ventura of North Augusta, step son Matthew Schmeltz, three grandchildren Michael Jerome and Ava Elizabeth Ventura and Ansley Wilson Carston, a sister, Penny Bagwell, Pickens, SC, a brother, Tommy Wilson, Dacusville, SC and his mother-in-law, Geraldine Bankoff, Aiken.

 The funeral service will be Friday morning, April 13^th at 11 o’clock at Shellhouse – Rivers Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Sons of Israel Cemetery.

Memorials may be sent to Congregation Children of Israel, Augusta, GA.

SHELLHOUSE RIVERS FUNERAL HOME, 715 EAST PINE LOG RD., AIKEN, SC