Michael T. “Jack” Wilson, 82, passed away at home, surrounded by his loving family on Sunday, March 28, 2021. He was born on Nov. 23, 1938, in Fairmont, a son of the late Mary Wilson Miller.
Michael graduated from Rivesville High School and was an active member in the band. He was a graduate of The Stonier Graduate School of Banking at Rutgers University and he attended the University of Virginia.
He began his career in the computer department at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C., before being drafted to the United States Army in 1962, where he served in Korea. During his time in the Army, he married his wife of 58 years, Reta Faye Wilson, on March 21, 1963. After leaving the service, he moved to Parkersburg to raise a family and to work with the Wood County Board of Education, teaching data processing and computer programming at Parkersburg High School, where he developed a curriculum for both. He then moved on to Parkersburg National Bank, running the computer department, then moved into senior management, and he was an integral part in transitioning into what is now United Bank. He went on to become President of South Branch Valley National Bank in Moorefield and was very proud of having the bank up and running within three days after the devastating flood in 1985. Later in his career, his passion for banking led him bank to his hometown of Fairmont, where he founded Monongalia Valley Bank which is now known as MVB Bank.
Over the years, he was very involved in his community, including being past president of the Parkersburg Lion’s Club, a member of the Greater Parkersburg Chamber of Commerce (Education Committee), Parkersburg Elks, United Way and past president of the West Virginia Bankers Association. He was also appointed to the Advisory Committee of the Fifth Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond.
He enjoyed music, and he sang for years with the WVU Choral Group. He was an avid artist who loved writing, painting and photography. He coached little league baseball and enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren in their events. He participated in many running events and was often seen clocking miles all around town. Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with family and friends, singing, laughing and attending WVU sporting events.
He was Episcopalian by faith and was very active in his churches over the years.
Michael is survived by his wife, Reta Faye Wilson, and their three children, Michael Gregory Wilson and his wife Valerie Dawn Wilson, Sherry Faye McKown and her husband Dr. Charles H. McKown and Eric Timothy Wilson and his wife Judith Kay Crihfield Wilson; grandchildren, Jonathan Wilson, Kristin Faye Wilson, Sean Smith and Tyler Smith; great-grandchildren, Elias Cain and Josie Smith; a twin sister, Jill Panetta; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
In addition to his mother, Michael was preceded in death by his half-brother, Howard Miller; and stepfather, B. Franklin Miller.
The family will receive friends at Domico Funeral Home, 414 Gaston Ave., Fairmont, from 6 p.m. Thursday, April 1, until 8 p.m. The funeral will be at the West Virginia National Cemetery at 1 p.m. Friday, April 2. Interment will follow at the West Virginia National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Alzheimer’s Association alz.org. The family is considering a celebration of life at a later date.
Condolences:
www.domicofh.com
