James A. Wilson, age 93, long-time resident of Morristown, passed away on Sunday, August 25, 2019 at Woodland Terrace in New Palestine. He was born in Indianapolis on October 16, 1925 to Albert and Nondas (McCord) Wilson. Jim graduated from Morristown High School in 1943 and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II from 1943-1946. Jim married his high-school sweetheart Virginia D. (Swain) on January 23, 1945.
Jim was best known as the owner and operator of Jim’s Marathon Service of Morristown for 21 years. He and his wife were also school bus drivers for a generation of kids in the Shelby Eastern School District. Earlier in his career, Jim worked for Gulling Electrical as well as Associates Investment, both of Indianapolis. His memberships included Morristown United Methodist Church, Morristown American Legion Post #102, Morristown Lions Club and the Holiday Rambler Camping Group. Jim was a 50-year member and past master of the Morristown Masonic Lodge #193. His passions were flying, particularly his Cessna 172, and restoring his classic 1985 Buick LeSaber Ltd. A highlight of his later years was regular games of Mexican Train with close friends.
Jim is survived by his sons, Donald A. (wife Gwen Hamlin) Wilson of Tarpon Springs, FL, and Dr. Gregory D. (wife Karen) Wilson of Henderson, NV; five grandchildren, Dane (wife B.J.) Erlewein, Tisha (husband Jason) Lucas, Tiffany (husband Derek) Eberhart, Brooke (husband Nathan) Jensen, and Adam Wilson; six great-grandchildren, Gibson, Lily, Townsend, Jenna, Kai, and Hayden; and special friends at Springhurst Villas. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Virginia Wilson; daughter, Judith Mae Erlewein; brother, Paul Wilson and his sister, Florence O’Haver.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 28, 2019, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Erlewein Mortuary & Crematory, 1484 W. US Hwy. 40, Greenfield, IN 46140. A masonic service will take place immediately following the visitation at 7:00 p.m. with the funeral service to follow. Pastors Chris Dourson and Jeri Barrett-Thomas will be officiating. A private graveside service will take place at Asbury Cemetery in Morristown with military rites presented by the active duty.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Judith Wilson Erlewein Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Erlewein Mortuary, 1484 W. US Hwy. 40, Greenfield, IN 46140. Donation envelopes will also be available at the mortuary. Friends may share a memory or condolence atwww.erleweinmortuary.com.
