Ralph J. Wilson, 83, of Elizabethton, went home to be with his Lord and Savior, on Saturday, February 24, 2018, following a brief illness.
A native of Carter County, he was a son of the late William and Agnes Oliver Wilson.
Ralph served in the United States Army. He worked as a truck driver for Tri-State Container. He was also a dispatcher for Inland Container until retirement. After his retirement, he was a school bus driver for the Carter County School System.
Ralph was an avid Atlanta Braves and TN Vols fan. He was a member of Siam Baptist Church and the Farmers Market Sunday School Class. He was also a member of American Legion Post 49.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving wife of 45 years, Shelby Jean Wilson, and by three sisters, one brother, one step-brother and two half brothers.
Those left behind to cherish his memory include his daughter by love, Ann Mullins and husband Larry; grandchildren, Carol Ann Johnson and Chris Mullins and wife Amanda; great-grandchildren, Alex Yates, Lexi Mullins and Allie Mullins, and our baby boy who is waiting on his arrival; a step-brother, Bill Davenport; several other nieces and nephews; and his special friends, Aubrey Brown and Ken Rainbolt.
Funeral services for Ralph J. Wilson will be conducted at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 1, at Memorial Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Jack Roddy and the Rev. Ricky Lack officiating. Visitation will be from 5 to 6 p.m. prior to the service. The entombment service will be at 11 a.m. Friday, March 2, in the Mausoleum of Peace at Happy Valley Memorial Park. Music will be provided by Bill Anderson. Active pallbearers, who are requested to assemble at the funeral home at 10:20 a.m. Friday, will be Lynn Treadway, Doug Bailey, Henry Allen, Bill Hamilton, Bill Anderson and Allen Oliver. Honorary pallbearers will be former employees of Tri-State Container, former employees of Inland Container, former and present employees of the Carter County School Bus Garage, members of the Farmers Market Sunday School Class, John Rednour, Bruce Carter, Aubrey Brown, Jerry Nave, Phil Nave, Doug Nave and Ken Rainbolt. Military Honors will be provided by the Carter County Honor Guard. The family would like to express a special “Thank You” to the 2500 Wing of Johnson City Medical Center including Leigh, Toshia, Jordan Anne, Heather and Dr. El Bazouni for the excellent care Ralph received. Family and friends will assemble at the funeral home at 10:20 a.m. Friday to go to the cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at our website at www.memorialfcelizabethton.com.
Memorial Funeral Chapel is serving the Wilson family.