Joseph Porter Wilson

Gray, Georgia—Joseph Porter Wilson, Jr., aged 93, of Jones County, passed away on October 29, 2025. Currently, the family has not planned any memorial services.

Early Life and Education

Mr. Wilson was born in Gainesville, Florida, on September 16, 1932, to Joseph and Marjorie Wilson of Dothan, Alabama. He attended Dothan High School, graduating on May 31, 1950, and immediately enlisted in the United States Navy.

Military Service

Mr. Wilson served seven years in the U.S. Navy during both the Korean War and the Cold War, with deployments in Europe and North Africa. For three years, he was stationed in French Morocco as a crew member of an Early Warning Squadron, operating Martin P4M Mercator medium attack bombers. The squadron’s missions included reconnaissance flights from Cyprus over Turkey and the Black Sea, focused on identifying Russian missile installations and fighter airfields.

Academic Pursuits

Following his return to the United States in 1955, Mr. Wilson was assigned to the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Florida. There, he applied to Auburn University and began his studies in Civil Engineering in 1956. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in December 1959, as part of the final graduating class of Alabama Polytechnic Institute before its transition to Auburn University in January 1960.

Professional Career

In the summer of 1960, Mr. Wilson relocated with his family to Jonesboro, Georgia, to join the Central of Georgia Railroad. The next year, he moved to Macon, Georgia. In 1963, following the railroad’s acquisition by Norfolk Southern, he transitioned to the Civil Engineering Department at Robins Air Force Base. In 1965, Mr. Wilson commenced his career with J. M. Huber Corporation in Twiggs County, Georgia, serving in the Engineering Department at their Kaolin Plant. Over a period of 25 years, he assumed roles such as Chief Engineer, Plant Manager, and Division Chief Engineer. Mr. Wilson retired on May 31, 1990, after a distinguished 25-year tenure in the kaolin industry and a total of 40 years in his profession.

Community Involvement and Interests

Mr. Wilson was an active member of Clinton United Methodist Church and played a founding role in the Okmulgee Knife Collectors Club of Macon. He also held memberships in the National Rifle Association, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the American Legion. His personal interests included gunsmithing and mechanical repairs.

Family

Mr. Wilson was predeceased by his wife of 58 years, Ruth Gwaltney Wilson of Dothan, Alabama; his daughter, Amy Lynn Wilson Young (Ray) of Magnolia, Texas; and his sister, Leslie Wilson Summerford (Harry) of Wilson’s Mill, Alabama. He is survived by three children: Jan Elaine Wilson Miller (David) of Bryan, Texas; William Sidney Wilson (Patty) of Pace, Florida; and Patricia Wright Wilson Cash (Bill) of Arab, Alabama. Additionally, he leaves behind nine grandchildren and twenty great-grandchildren.

Harts Mortuary Jones County Chapel 307 Pecan Lane, Gray Georgia, has charge of the arrangements.