Olin Everette Wilson Sr.

Olin Everette Wilson Sr, 93, passed away peacefully in Raleigh on Tuesday, December 6, 2022. Having lived most of his life in or near Raleigh, including his last 43 years, Olin leaves behind a host of cherished friends and career acquaintances, and especially in latter days, dedicated caregivers. He moves on now to his next great journey in the presence of our loving Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Olin was born in 1929 near Bonsal in eastern Chatham County, NC, the second of three children of Edward Everette (Eb) Wilson and Irma Massey Wilson, both of whom descended from long-established families in the vicinity of New Hill, Apex, and Holly Springs. This was Eb’s second marriage, the first being to Lela Herndon of Chatham County, who passed away in 1923.

Olin grew up with older brother Reid and younger sister Ruth, within close range of several relatives who were also integral in his early life. When he was only nine, the death of his father resulted in a three-year stay for his family with Irma’s parents in Holly Springs, followed by a move to North Person Street in Raleigh, in the Oakwood neighborhood. Olin remained there through his grade school years, ending at Hugh Morson High School. After his graduation in 1947, he also worked three years full-time for the Epes Fitzgerald Paper Company in downtown Raleigh.

His service in the US Air Force (1951-1954) took him to bases in Texas, Colorado, and Labrador. Through his efforts in the Base Supply missions at these locations, he achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant.

Olin returned to Raleigh in late 1954 and soon afterward began his collegiate education in Textile Chemistry at NC State University. In 1956, he married Anne Morris Bunn, originally of Bailey, NC, whom he met while she was employed by the Raleigh YMCA. He graduated in 1957 from his program at NC State.

His full-time career was in loyal service to Burlington Industries and its employees, spanning 1957 to 1994. Focusing on the textile dyeing and finishing operations at Burlington, he was first in managerial roles in several locations in NC and Virginia, followed by a division-wide role as a technical advisor, based in Wake Forest.

His two sons Olin, Jr and Edward were born in 1958 and 1960, in the midst of several early moves related to Burlington Industries. He and his wife Anne poured out their hearts and ordered their pursuits to see that their sons had a rich family life and abundant opportunities to prosper in their chosen endeavors. Olin’s career dedication made it possible also for his wife Anne to enroll in college and obtain her undergraduate degree in 1978, followed by her own fulfilling career.

After retiring from Burlington Industries, Olin was very fortunate to land a position in the College of Textiles at NC State, serving as an advisor/consultant mainly for the College’s extensive outreach functions. Between 1995 and 2009, Olin was able to apply his career industry experience, leading educational sessions and offering technical advisement for textile operations and garment makers from various locations around the globe.

Olin fully retired and lived in his northern Raleigh home until shortly after the passing of his wife Anne in 2016. Subsequently, his four-plus years at Abbotswood at Stonehenge and one year at Brighton Gardens of Raleigh were blessed with new friendships with fellow residents and staff members. Taking the latter group together with others who tended to his health needs, he and the family are immensely grateful for their skill, dedication, and sacrifices. His final years were an unexpected but rewarding end for someone with such a warm and affable personality.

Surviving family members include brother Reid of Wilmington, Delaware, sister Ruth Younts of Austell, Georgia, son Olin, Jr and wife Julie of Wendell, son Ed of Durham, grandson Harris of Raleigh, and granddaughter Emily of Nashville, Tennessee.

Funeral services were held at the graveside at Oakwood Cemetery, at 10AM on Saturday, December 10, 2022.

Floral dedications can be sent to Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 300 St Mary’s St in Raleigh.

Contributions to Dementia Alliance of North Carolina, based in Raleigh, are also welcomed.