09/04/2026
James Martin Wilson
January 22, 1949 ~ August 31, 2026 (age 77)
Provided by Slate Funeral Home
Obituary Photo
Services
Visitation
Tuesday
September 8, 2026
1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
King Moravian Church
King
King, NC 27021
Memorial Service
Tuesday
September 8, 2026
2:00 PM
King Moravian Church
King
King, NC 27021
Interment following funeral service
Tuesday
September 8, 2026
Forsyth Memorial Park Cemetery
Obituary Image
James Martin Wilson, age 77, passed away peacefully on August 31, 2026, following a short battle with cancer. Born on January 22, 1949, in Jacksonville, Florida, to the late Henry Newkirk Wilson and Ida Marie Cash Wilson, James was a dedicated veteran, skilled aircraft mechanic, and devoted family man.
After graduating from North Forsyth High School in 1967, James proudly enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He served six years of active duty, which included a tour in Vietnam and multiple deployments aboard aircraft carriers. Following his time in the Marine Corps, he continued his commitment to service with two years in the Army National Guard.
His passion for aviation carried into his civilian career, where he spent 21 years as an aircraft mechanic for Piedmont Airlines, then US Airways, working in both Greensboro and Charlotte, North Carolina. Following his retirement from the airlines, James accepted a role with the Department of Defense as a flight mechanic, maintaining aircraft that transported U.S. troops worldwide. He continued to serve others as a volunteer with the Cool Spring Fire Department.
When he finally retired for good, James loved traveling the world alongside his wife, Linda, and their lifelong best friends, Tommy and Diana Lovel.
James was preceded in death by his parents and his grandson, Gregory James Baxevanis.
He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Linda; his oldest daughter, Rachel (Brent) Burkholder and her son, Evan Scott; his youngest daughter, Erin (Jason) Hill and their twins, Nolan and Emerson; one evil cat, Izzy, and his older brother Henry Newkirk Wilson Jr., along with many cherished cousins and friends.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 8th, from 1:00 pm until 2:00 pm at King Moravian Church. Service will be held following the visitation. Interment with full military honors will follow at Forsyth Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in James’s honor to: KBR Hospice House: 101 Hospice Lane, Winston-Salem, NC 27103 or King Moravian Church.
Slate Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of James Martin Wilson. Online condolences may be offered at www.slatefh.com.
Guest Book
Message from Captain Ferguson The Forsyth County Sheriff's OfficeSeptember 3, 2026 3:20 PM
Sending prayers to you all for strength and comfort.
