THOMAS REESE WILSON JR.

ALCOLU — Thomas Reese Wilson Jr., 97, widower of Margaret Leonora McFaddin Wilson, died on Friday, Sept. 24, 2021, at McLeod Health Clarendon.

Born on April 6, 1924, in Alcolu, he was a son of the late Thomas Reese Wilson Sr. and Claree Nelson Wilson. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, a retired farmer, and a member of New Harmony Presbyterian Church.

Thomas attended Clemson College until called to serve his country in World War II as an Army drill sergeant. He returned to Clarendon County to establish deep roots as a lifelong member of New Harmony Presbyterian Church. His love for the outdoors led to shared farming and hunting enterprises: Wilson Brothers Farm (John J., partner) and Nelson-Wilson Hunting Club (cousin Edgar Nelson, partner). Life’s simple pleasures of loving your neighbor and family, fishing, Clemson football, a good Western and good food brought a lifetime of joy and contentment.   

He is survived by four children, Mary "Mackey" McFaddin Wilson Richburg (Bobby) of Lugoff, Margaret Eugenia "Genie" Wilson Graham (Paul) of Lexington, and Thomas "Tommy" Reese Wilson III (Jeannie) and Erie Light Wilson Brown (Len), both of Alcolu; 15 grandchildren, Mike Richburg, Greta Richburg, Joe Richburg (Stephanie), Broc Rigby (Heather), Sally Rigby, Thomas Rigby (Summer), Lee Motley, Paul Graham (Shannon), Kate Barrett (Rocky), Jill Hickson (Ron), Reese Wilson (Katie), Cameron Wilson (Jamie), Brant Brown, Leslie Horton (Scott), Maggie Dittmar (Tyler) and Virginia Brown Shank; 36 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Sarah Eloise Wilson Rigby; a son-in-law, Muldrow "Mul" Brockington Rigby Jr; a sister, Frances McNair; and a brother, John Joe Wilson.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. today at New Harmony Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Cameron L. Wilson and the Rev. Ron C. Hickson officiating. Burial will follow in DuRant–New Harmony Cemetery.

Grandsons will serve as pallbearers.

Visitation will be one hour prior to the service from 10 to 11 a.m. at the church and other times at the residence, 9008 U.S. 301, Alcolu.

Memorials may be made to New Harmony Cemetery Fund, 1174 New Harmony Church Road, Alcolu, SC 29001, or to Clarendon Christian Learning Center, P.O. Box 911, Manning, SC 29102.

Stephens Funeral Home & Crematory, 304 N. Church St., Manning, is in charge of the arrangements, (803) 435-2179, www.stephensfuneralhome.org.