Bill Wilson

Buford L. "Bill" Wilson, age 82, passed away peacefully at home on April 19, 2020, following a lengthy illness. Bill lived his life as a proverbial Boy Scout. He was loyal, patriotic, and always ready to step up to the plate wherever he was needed. He loved his God, his church, and his family. While still a senior at Phillips High School, he was employed by Hayes Air Craft Engineering for his talent in commercial art and design. He relocated to Los Angeles where he contributed to the cryogenics design for Gemini at NASA. During this period, he served 8 years with the National Guard both in Alabama and in California. In 1964, Bill returned home to Alabama and was employed by Beloit Corporation. His division relocated to Ashland, Wisconsin, where he was Assistant to the General Plant Manager which involved Public Relations. Bill was very active in the community. He served on the vestry of Saint Andrews Episcopal Church; served as president of the tri-county PTA; was an active member of the Benevolent & Protective Order of the Elks; and, he successfully organized and led the first Scouting program in that area. When Beloit closed that division, he returned to Birmingham where he ventured into the world of insurance. Bill was with Prudential for 11 years after which he went independent and brokered insurance successfully for 40 years. Bill enjoyed golfing, gardening, cooking, and ballroom dancing. He was an active member of the Kalpa Chapter of the Birmingham Fraternal Council of Dance Clubs where he served as President and held many offices. When his son and son-in-law joined the Kalpa Chapter, he was elated. He expanded his insurance business from Birmingham to Mobile, to Jacksonville, Florida, then Tampa, Florida. While in Jacksonville, still the Boy Scout, he served as President of his HOA for many years. While in Tampa, he enjoyed serving as a Marshall for many PGA tournaments. After retiring, he returned to the Birmingham area (Leeds) in 2011. He was a wonderful father and grandfather, and being home in Alabama allowed him to spend more precious time with family. Hosting family dinner every Sunday, cheering on grandchildren at sporting and school events, and family vacations were all things he loved. One of his greatest joys was encouraging and observing his two grandsons' progression through the ranks of Scouting, one of which recently achieved the Eagle Scout rank and the other will reach it very soon. When he bought his home in Leeds, he often joked about being just down the road from his final resting place. Mr. Wilson is survived by his wife, Peggy Green Wilson, sons, Michael Wilson, (Karen), Bradley Wilson (Betty), stepson, Gary Gray, daughter Karen Karmondi (Kimball), niece/daughter, Monica Guzdziol (Don), brother Charles Wayne Wilson, Grandchildren, Brandi Radella (Chris), C. Shelby Gray, Alaina Barnette, Jonathan Wilson, Alex Karmondi, Harrison Wilson, great grandchildren, Peyton Elizabeth Dorn, Michael Radella, Caitlin Barnette, and Meagan Radella, god-daughter Charlie Sophia Grace Guzdziol. Services for Mr. Wilson will be Tuesday, April 21, 2020. There will be a visitation from 1:00 PM until 2:00 PM with a limit of 10 at a time at Kilgroe Funeral Home – Leeds with burial to follow at Branchville Cemetery in Odenville, Alabama. Service directed by Kilgroe Funeral Home 1750 Ashville Road Leeds, Alabama.