Wilson Austin Jr.

Mr. Austin, son of Catherine Bussey Austin and the late Wilson Herring Austin, Sr., was born January 15, 1942 at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta. He grew up in Peachtree Hills and attended E. Rivers Elementary. He graduated from North Fulton in 1960 where he won the Georgia State Wrestling championship. He attended Young Harris and graduated with a B.S. from LaGrange College in 1965. He taught chemistry and math at North Fulton from 1965 to 1968. He started Austin Billiard Company in 1968, manufacturing custom pool tables, a trade he learned from his grandfather Frank Bussey. He was active in Buckhead Boys and a life-long member of the Atlanta Athletic Club. Mr. Austin married Stephanie Howell in 1972 and together the couple raised four daughters in Sandy Springs and later retired to Saint Simons Island. Mr. Austin was an active member of Marshes of Glynn Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution. His passion for sailing was realized with the purchase of his sailboat a Hinkley Bermuda 40. Mr. Austin loved golfing, music, playing guitar, singing, building backyard bonfires for his grandchildren and telling stories, many about his influential father.

Mr. Austin is survived by his wife, Stephanie, of 38 years and four daughters: Ashley Austin Ring, Lori Austin Cruse, Katy Austin Smith, and Holli Austin Belaski. He is also survived by five grandchildren: Priscilla DeVoss Ring, Jackson Herrin Austin Cruse, Ethan Everett Austin Cruse, Dylan Alexander Smith, and Jeremy Herrin Belaski. Additionally, he is survived by his mother, Catherine Bussey Austin; sister, Angela McAlpin; and brother, Richard Austin.

Funeral services will be held at H.M. Patterson & Son, Spring Hill on Monday, the sixteenth of August at eleven o’clock in the morning. Dr. David Sapp will officiate. Visitation begins at ten o’clock. Interment will be at the Jonesboro City Cemetery where Mr. Austin will be laid to rest beside his father.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Development Office, 1762 Clifton Road, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30322.