Jack Wilson, 72, died peacefully Sunday, August 9, 2015 at his home in Manteo surrounded by family and friends.  

He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on January 18, 1943. He was reared by his adoptive mother, Josephine Williams, and his foster father, Jones Williams, of Ocracoke from an early age of about eight months.

Jack is survived by his wife, Ruth Jolly Wilson, of Manteo and Ocracoke, a son, Stephen Wilson, a granddaughter, Lily Grace, mother, Jennifer, all of Ocracoke, and a daughter, Anna Wilson, and a granddaughter, Josie Wilson, of Manteo.

He grew up during what might be termed as the “golden years” of Ocracoke.  There was no paved road from the Hatteras ferry to the village and the banker ponies roamed freely. He was a member of Ocracoke’s Mounted Boy Scouts under Marvin Howard, and he was lovingly referred to as “my Jackie” by his mother. Jones Williams died when Jack was twelve years of age. Jack worked for Sam Jones breaking banker ponies until he joined the Navy. He was always concerned about being able to provide for Josephine who died in 1966 and for his family as a whole.

Jack and Ruth were married in 1970 and moved home to Ocracoke. He built the Trade Winds Bait and Tackle Shop at Ocracoke, established and ran Seashore Readymix, Inc. and Hatteras Light Mini Storage, Inc. in Buxton. In 1994 Jack and Ruth moved to Gulrock, Hyde County, to care for her parents, Leonard and Helen Jolly. Jack worked as a real estate broker in Manteo, where they resided from 1998 until his death.

A memorial service will be held at Twiford Funeral Home in Manteo on September 3 at 5PM and another at the Ocracoke Assembly of God in Ocracoke on September 5 at 3PM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in his memory Dare County Home Health and Hospice, P. O. Box 669, Manteo, North Carolina 27954 and Outer Banks Hospital Development Council, c/o Cancer Care, 4800 South Croatan Highway, Nags Head, North Carolina 27959, Attention: Hands of Hope. Our special thanks to Dare County Hospice for their gracious help.

Jack will always remain in our hearts as a beloved husband, father and grandfather.  He is now at rest with our Heavenly Father.

Twiford Funeral Home, Manteo is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed at www.twifordfh.com.