James Gilbert Wilson

ALEXANDER – James Gilbert Wilson, 89, passed away on Sunday July 30, 2023, at Mission Hospital.

A native of Madison County, NC, Gilbert was the son of the late Hezekiah Gudger Wilson and Minnie Bell Brown Wilson. A veteran of the United States Army, Gilbert served his country in the Korean War. He retired from Thurston Motor Lines and then proceeded to start a gravel delivery business. He picked up gravel from quarries and delivered gravel to customers all over western North Carolina. He was affectionately known as the “The Gravel Man”.

“I’ve hauled enough gravel now and I think I’m going to finally back off and retire”. At that point, he involved himself in music and picked with a Madison County bluegrass band. After many years of playing rhythm guitar in this group, health issues forced him into slowing down even more. Gilbert came from a very musical family.

Gilbert was a founding member of the French Broad Fire Department. He and his wife were very instrumental and active in raising funds for the department to help build it up. They also enjoyed boating on the lake, fishing and eating hamburgers and hotdogs. He would grow a garden every year and loved tomatoes and especially his silver queen corn. He took great pride in his gardening.

Along with his parents, Gilbert was preceded in death by his wife, Lorraine; his daughter, Marie Mackey; and a brother, Herbert David Wilson.

Gilbert is survived by his sister, Mary Ann Long and her husband, Paul of Winston-Salem; a grandson, Joseph Mackey; and two great grandsons.

A graveside service with military honors will be held at 2:30 pm on Friday, August 4, 2023, at West Memorial Park, 40 Roberts Street, Weaverville. Gilbert’s neighbor and good friend, John Stewart will officiate. The family will receive friends from 12 pm until 2 pm on Friday at West Funeral Home, 17 Merrimon Ave., Weaverville.

West Funeral Home is honored to be assisting Gilbert’s family. Condolences may be sent to the family through the website, www.WestFamilyFuneralServices.com