John Caldwell Wilson, devoted husband of Nancy Rhett Wilson, entered into eternal life on the afternoon of January 2, 2015. Mr. Wilson was born November 30, 1926 in Charlotte, NC, the son of George Edward Wilson, Jr., former Mayor of Charlotte and Lida Rivers Caldwell Wilson.
He was a retired Vice President of the South Carolina National Bank and Wachovia Bank. Mr. Wilson attended public schools in Charlotte before graduating from Culver Military Academy. He attended Davidson College for one year where he was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity. He then received and accepted an appointment to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. Upon graduation from the Naval Academy in 1949 he attended the Navy Supply Corp School before receiving orders to Charleston.
While in Charleston he met and married his wife, Rosalie Munford (Nancy) Rhett. He later served as Naval Supply Corp Officer at the Chincoteague, Va. Naval Air Station. Upon his discharge from the service in 1954, the Wilson’s returned to Charleston where he began his banking career. During that time, he obtained a graduate degree from the Stonier Graduate School of Banking. Mr. Wilson spent over thirty years with the South Carolina National Bank (later Wachovia Bank) retiring as Vice President. Throughout his life, Mr. Wilson devoted much of his time to his community. He served the City of Charleston Housing Authority as its Chairman for 9 years.
He is a past Vice President of the Charleston Trident Chamber of Commerce and Chairman of the Charleston Chapter of the American Red Cross. He was also a Past President of the Kiwanis Club of Charleston and Chairman of the USO Steering Committee. Mr. Wilson served as Past Director of United Way and served on the boards of Junior Achievement and College Preparatory School. He was a member of the Executive Association of Greater Charleston and after his retirement served as a volunteer with Hospice of Charleston.
Mr. Wilson was a man of deep faith who devoted time to serving his church as well as the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina. He served as Junior and Senior Warden at St. Philips Episcopal Church and was a member of the Vestry at the Church of the Holy Communion. At one time he was a member of Grace Episcopal Church.
He is probably best remembered by many at St. Philips Church for teaching his Sunday School Class. Mr. Wilson served as Treasurer for the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina under three Bishops, Bishop Grey Temple, Bishop FitzSimons Allison, and Bishop Edward L. Salmon, Jr.. He was Co-Chairman of the committee that nominated Edward L. Salmon, Jr., to become Bishop of South Carolina. He was selected to serve as a Deputy to the national General Convention of the Episcopal Church on four occasions.
Prior to his time as Treasurer Mr. Wilson served the Diocese as a member of the Missions Committee, the Finance Committee, and as President of Canterbury House. He also served as Co-Chair of the Mission and Renewal Campaign for the Diocese. Mr. Wilson was a member of the Carolina Yacht Club, the South Carolina Society, and the Sons of Colonial Wars.
Mr. Wilson was predeceased by his parents; a sister, Rilma Allen Wadsworth of Charlotte, NC, and a granddaughter, Helen Carson Jones of Boulder, Colorado. Surviving are his wife of 63 years, Rosalie Rhett (Nancy) Wilson of Charleston; sons: John C. (Jack) Wilson, Jr. of Mt. Pleasant, Wythe Rhett Wilson (Sarah Payne) of Mt. Pleasant and George Edward Wilson of Mt. Pleasant; daughter, Sarah Wilson (Sally) Jones (Mike) of Boulder, CO; and a nephew, Robert Allen of Richmond. Mr. Wilson was a loving grandfather to Caroline Caldwell Wilson, Elizabeth Ross Wilson, Sarah Rhett Jones, and Carson Michael Jones. He was a devoted husband, father, and most of all a friend to members of his family. He will be greatly missed, but will forever remain in their hearts.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend his funeral service in St. Philip’s Church, 142 Church Street, Monday, January 5, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. A private burial will be held at a later date. The family will receive friends at a reception in the Parish Hall immediately following the service. Arrangements by J. HENRY STUHR, INC., DOWNTOWN CHAPEL.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to Hospice of Charleston, 4975 LaCross Road, Suite 200, North Charleston, SC 29406 or the Wounded Warrior Foundation, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675 ( www.woundedwarriorproject.org), or a charity of your choosing.
A memorial message may be sent to the family by visiting our website at www.jhenrystuhr.com.