William J. Wilson, Jr., educator, community leader, succumbs
William J. (Red) Wilson, Jr., 86, of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., departed this life on Thursday, April 23, 2015. A distinguished noted educator, community leader and retiree of the Broward Public School District, where he served as Principal, Assistant Principal, and Guidance Counselor, and was elected as one of eight special assistants to the principals appointed to implement the racial integration of predominately white schools in Broward County.
He was born in Jacksonville, Fla. on March 15, 1919 and is a native of St. Augustine, Fla. He is the eldest of four children born to Mr. Williams J. Wilson, Sr., and Mrs. Alice S. Wilson. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, James and Charles Wilson, grandmother, Mrs. Anna Wilson, son; William J. Wilson, III and grandson, Michael Joseph Wilson. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Dr. Barbara Houston Wilson; daughter; Dr. Stefanie D. Wilson; sister; Mrs. LottieAnn Moss and a host of nieces, nephews and friends. A graduate of Excelsior High School in 1946 as Salutatorian, he matriculated to Florida A&M College, presently Florida A&M University, where he earned a Bachelor’s of Science Degree (1950) in Mathematics and Physics. He earned a Master’s of Education Degree in Guidance and Counseling from Florida A&M University in 1961.
He served as a member of the City of Fort Lauderdale Lauderdale’s Elks Lodge #652, a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., (Beta Nu Chapter), The Red Cross and Marine Board, Men of Destiny Community Outreach, Inc., and was an active member of Saint Anthony Catholic Church, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. A viewing will be held on Friday, May 1, 2015 from 5 to 8 p.m., at the T.M. Ralph Chapel, 7001 N.S. Fourth St., Plantation, Fla. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday, May 3 at 12:30 p.m., at Saint Anthony Catholic Church, 901 N.E. Second St., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. 33301. The repast will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the March of Dimes of Broward County in memory of Michael Joseph Wilson.
Arrangements by T.M. Ralph Plantation Funeral Home, 7001 N.W. Fourth St., Plantation, Fla.
