MANTEOand OCRACOKE — Jack Wilson, 72 died peacefully Sunday, August 9, 2015at his home in Manteo surrounded by family and friends. Hewas born in Philadelphia, Pa., on Jan. 18, 1943. He was reared by hisadoptive mother, Josephine Williams, and his foster father, JonesWilliams, of Ocracoke from an early age of about eight months.
Jack is survived by his wife, Ruth Jolly Wilson, of Manteo andOcracoke; a son, Stephen Wilson, a granddaughter, Lily Grace, mother,Jennifer, all of Ocracoke;, and a daughter, Anna Wilson, and agranddaughter, Josie Wilson, of Manteo.
He grew up during what might be termed as the “golden years” ofOcracoke. There was no paved road from the Hatteras ferry to thevillage and the banker ponies roamed freely. He was a member ofOcracoke’s Mounted Boy Scouts under Marvin Howard and he waslovingly referred to as “my Jackie” by his mother. Jones Williams diedwhen Jack was 12 years of age. Jack worked for Sam Jones, breakingbanker ponies until he joined the Navy. He was always concerned aboutbeing able to provide for Josephine who died in 1966 and for his familyas a whole.
Jack and Ruth were married in 1970 and moved home to Ocracoke. Hebuilt the Trade Winds Bait and Tackle Shop at Ocracoke, established andran Seashore Readymix, Inc. and Hatteras Light Mini Storage, Inc. inBuxton. In 1994, Jack and Ruth moved to Gulrock, Hyde County, to carefor her parents, Leonard and Helen Jolly. Jack worked as a real estatebroker in Manteo, where they resided from 1998 until his death.
A memorial service will be held at Twiford Funeral Home in Manteoon Sept. 3 at 5 p.m. and another at the Ocracoke Assembly ofGod in Ocracoke on Sept. 5 at 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, thefamily requests donations be made in his memory Dare County Home Healthand Hospice, P. O. Box 669, Manteo, North Carolina 27954 and OuterBanks Hospital Development Council, c/o Cancer Care, 4800 South CroatanHighway, Nags Head, North Carolina 27959, Attention: Hands ofHope. Our special thanks to Dare County Hospice for their gracious help.
Jack will always remain in our hearts as a beloved husband, father, andgrandfather. He is now at rest with our Heavenly Father.
Twiford Funeral Home, Manteo is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed at www.twifordfh.com.
