James Stephen Wilson Jr.

James Stephen Wilson, Jr., age 80, of Snow Hill passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 10, 2024 at Wicomico Nursing Home in Salisbury surrounded by his loving family. Jim was born on November 3, 1943 in Snow Hill, a son of the late James Stephen Wilson, Sr. and Alice M. (Wells) Taylor. Apart from a few short years, he lived his entire life there. He, his parents, and his brother were all members of Makemie Presbyterian Church. He graduated from Snow Hill High School in 1961. While there, he played soccer, basketball, and baseball. There were 52 members in his graduating class. They stayed close after graduation and held numerous class reunions over the years, most recently in November 2023 to host the return of their Norwegian Exchange Student, Brit-Stomner Boehnsdalen. A 1965 graduate of Salisbury State College, he earned his teaching degree and played baseball on the College’s 1964 Inaugural Team during his junior year and again during his senior year. He was a very talented pitcher and even received an offer to pitch for the Pittsburgh Pirates following graduation. A greater love for education would win him over though. Jim worked as a Chemistry and Physics Teacher in Wicomico County for 33 years, starting at Wi-Hi in 1965 & then moving to Parkside High School upon its opening in 1976. During his early teaching days, he worked at Wallops Island during the Summers. He later earned his Master’s Degree in Education. He coached Boys Soccer at Wi-Hi, Boys Golf at Parkside, & many Little League Baseball Teams over the years. Some former notable students of Mr. Wilson’s include Dr. Steve Hearne (Cardiologist), Meteorologist Mike Seidel (The Weather Channel), and Linda Hamilton (Television & Movie Actress). He had an early love for music and started playing mandolin at the age of 5 and then guitar soon after. He, on mandolin, and his father, on guitar, performed together on television for the WBOC TV Host “Little Georgie Hack” in the mid-1950’s. During his early-teenage years and into High School, he was a member of “The Whirlwinds,” one of the first Rock n’ Roll Bands on The Shore, and just missed the chance of playing a few gigs as Elvis Presley’s Backup Band in 1956 during Elvis’ “Chicken Circuit” days. The release of Presley’s “Heartbreak Hotel” only a few weeks before those upcoming gigs ended that opportunity. In a professional career spanning over 60 years, he played for many local bands, most notably “The Esquires,” “Eddie Seward Trio,” “Spectrum,” & “The Velvetones.” “The Esquires” was a trio with his 2 best friends, Dick Ramsay & Bill Cox. Dick and Jim continued to play at local events into the 2000’s and their final gigs were playing at Whatcoat Church’s Sunday Morning Services. Most of his former Physics students may fondly recall “The Sound Unit,” where Mr. Wilson would treat them to some cool music played by none other than himself on one of his many guitars. Many of his other classes got to enjoy Christmas Carols in the same fashion. Jim also served as a Park Ranger at Milburn Landing State Park for a few Summers and loads of campers got to enjoy “Ranger Jim” play guitar (& sing) for them at nightly bonfires. He was an exceptional painter. Aside from “Honey Do’s” around the house & brightwork on the boats, he painted houses professionally for a few Summers for Developer Doyle Graybark during the expansion of Ocean Pines in the late 1970’s. He also spent many summers on “The Paint Crew,” helping to spruce up the various schools around Wicomico County for the upcoming school year. During his time away from teaching and gigging, Jim enjoyed fishing and boating (maintaining & cruising). He spent a lot of his childhood fishing with his Dad and boating with his family on the Pocomoke River. For most Summer months in the 1980’s, 90’s, and early 2000’s, The Wilson Family cruised The Chesapeake Bay for weeks at a time. In Summer 1985, he & his brother Ronnie sailed across The Atlantic from Bermuda to Crisfield. In Summer 1987, he, his wife Ellen, son Chris, brother Ronnie, and faithful Chihuahua “Chico” made the round trip to The Bahamas, with a stop at Disney World on their way back Home. Jim and wife Ellen even made it all the way to Greece in Summer 2011 to attend Chris and Maria’s Wedding. Jim was an avid fan of the Baltimore Orioles, Baltimore Colts, and Baltimore Ravens. In the Summer of 1958, he and his father and his brother got an invitation to attend a pre-season game for the Baltimore Colts, where they had the opportunity to “meet & greet” with many of their future Hall of Famers after the game. That experience left a lasting impression on him. He loved flying and may have been a pilot in another life. He and good friend, Danny Hope, owned an Ultralight Airplane & flew the friendly skies together not so long ago. Jim loved Corvettes and still drove his 1968 Convertible, a car he owned since 1972, until the end. He is survived by his wife of almost 50 years, Ellen; sons, James S. Wilson, III and wife Victoria of Allen, and Christopher S. Wilson and wife Maria of Annapolis; grandchildren, Natalia, Olivia, Christianna, and Forrest Wilson; and great grandchildren, Mason and Greyson Wilson. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Ronald M. Wilson. A Celebration of His Life will be held on March 16th at 2pm at Whatcoat Church in Snow Hill. A visitation with the family will be held one hour prior. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to Whatcoat Church, (101 N. Washington Street, Snow Hill, MD 21863), Coastal Hospice (P.O. Box 1733, Salisbury, MD 21802), &/or Wicomico Nursing Home’s “Activities Department” (900 Booth Street, Salisbury, MD 21801). Arrangements are in the care of Short Funeral Home in Delmar. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.shortfh.com.

James Stephen Wilson Jr.

November 3, 1943 - February 10, 2024