Worth B Wilson

September 25, 1931 – August 13, 2022

Worth B. Wilson, 90, died peacefully in his sleep on August 13, 2022 at the Lower Cape Fear LifeCare hospice facility in Wilmington.

Born and raised in Charlotte, Worth was an outstanding athlete at Harding School, and earned a full athletic scholarship to Presbyterian College. At PC, he excelled as a two-way football player – starting at center on offense, linebacker on defense, and long snapper for punts and place kicks. He was also a member of PC’s track team, specializing in field events.

While at PC in late 1951, Worth’s life changed forever when he met Pat Garner on a blind date at nearby Limestone College. They were married in March, 1952 and celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary earlier this year. As an exemplary husband and father, he considered his marriage and family as his greatest source of pride.

Following college, Worth spent eight years with General Motors Acceptance Corporation (GMAC), followed by almost three decades with Ford Motor Credit

Company based in Raleigh as North Carolina Branch Manager. After retirement, Worth and Pat moved to the River Landing golf club in Wallace, and eventually to the Cambridge community in Wilmington several years ago.

Throughout his professional life, Worth was respected for his consistent work ethic, integrity, common sense and leadership. His career highlights include arranging initial financing for the state’s first minority-owned Ford dealership and, in 1969, helping launch what has become one of country’s largest multi-line group of auto dealerships.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Freda Wilson, and siblings Frank, Robert, John and Katherine. In addition to his wife, Pat, he is survived by his son, Worth B. Wilson, Jr. (Leigh) of Raleigh, daughter Lynn Greenwood (Michael) of Wilmington and grandchildren Sarah Wilson (Maggie Chmiel), Stephen Greenwood, Michelle Disney (Dan Suchy) and Heather Disney.

A celebration of Worth’s life will be held Saturday, August 20 at Wallace Presbyterian Church, 205 W. Main Street, Wallace, NC, 28466. Visitation with the family will be 10 to 10:45 am, followed by the service at 11 am.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Lower Cape Fear LifeCare, 1414 Physicians Drive, Wilmington, NC, 28401 or Wallace Presbyterian Church.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.CobleGreenlawn.com for the Wilson family.