Dr. John Frederick “J. Fred” Wilson, 91, of Morgantown, passed away peacefully on Friday, Oct. 29, 2021. He was born on July 12, 1930, in Winston Salem, N.C., the son of John F. and Mary A. (Slonaker) Wilson.
He grew up in Clarksburg, and attended Washington Irving High School, where he was senior class president. Always being motivated and hardworking, Fred drove the bread delivery truck for the family business in Clarksburg, Wilson’s Splendid Bread. After graduating high school in 1948, he entered West Virginia University, where he was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity. Fred remained active as a proud alumnus of WVU and the fraternity.
Before continuing his education at the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery (University of Maryland), Fred married his high school sweetheart, Mary Louise Stuart, in 1951. They lived in Baltimore while he attended dental school and also started their family. Upon graduation in 1955, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and was stationed at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Ala., earning the rank of captain. After his two years of service and honorable discharge in 1957, Fred and family moved to Morgantown to begin his dental career. He entered into a private dental practice with Dr. William Cozad, and later Dr. John Dempsey joined. Fred also served as a part time instructor at the WVU School of Dentistry. J. Fred was a much loved and respected general dentist with Morgantown Dental Group for over 40 years. His love of dentistry inspired his son, daughter, grandson and granddaughter to enter the dental field.
Together, Fred and Mary Louise raised three children, and his family meant everything to him. Summer vacations to Ocean City, Md. were a special highlight and they loved to socialize with numerous friends and relatives. They participated in the Beau Monde Dance Club and attended The Ball of the Year. Sadly, Mary Louise passed away in December 2000.
In September 2004, Fred was blessed to marry Audrey Warden and a wonderful blended second family was formed. Fred and Audrey enjoyed traveling to many international destinations and winter stays on Hilton Head Island.
J. Fred was a great lover of sports and a huge Mountaineers, Steelers and Pirates fan. His favorite pastime was playing golf, beginning at the Morgantown Country Club and continuing at Lakeview Country Club. He then became one of the founding members of the Pines Country Club, where he golfed until recently.
He served his community in various ways, such as being a member of the WVU Athletic Council, Morgantown Touchdown Club, First National Bank Board of Directors and delivering Meals on Wheels. Fred was Methodist by faith and a longtime member of Wesley United Methodist Church.
Fred is preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife of 49 years, Mary Louise (Stuart) Wilson, who passed away on Dec. 23, 2000; his sister, Phyllis Kennedy and brother, Edward Wilson, both of Clarksburg; father and mother-in-law, Thomas and Gabrielle Stuart, brothers- and sisters-in-law, Jim Kennedy, Diane Wilson, William and Jean Stuart, Thomas and Barbara Stuart and John Paul Sheets; daughter-in-law, Christine Brown Wilson; nephew, Edward R. Wilson; and family members, Mary Kennedy and Ronnie Norman.
Fred is survived by his wife of 17 years, Audrey Warden Wilson; his three children: son, Michael A. Wilson, D.D.S., and daughters, Katherine (Bob) Edwards and Julie (Al) Bonner, all of Morgantown; eight grandchildren, Kelley (Jeremy) Harris, Jason (Amanda) Wilson, D.D.S., Jennifer (Mark) McRobbie, Elizabeth (Eric) Dewey, Stephanie (Chris) Policastro, Mary Katherine Edwards, D.D.S., Megan (Casey) Gibbons and Matthew Long; 12 great-grandchildren, Ella, Amelia and Ryker Harris, Thaxton and Zoey Wilson, Jacob and Samantha Recter, Jonathan and Kathryn Dewey, Emerson and Loren Policastro and Gabriella Gibbons. He is also survived by family members, Mary W. Porter and family; sisters-in-law, Rosalie Sheets and Cheryl Wilson; several nieces and nephews; former dental team members and associates at Morgantown Dental Group; and extended family member/dental assistant Lynn White. Also surviving are four stepchildren, Karen Warden, Dr. Brad (Mary) Warden, Doug (Monica) Warden and Suzanne (David) Allan; and nine step-grandchildren, Matthew, Brian, Katelyn, Michael, Leia, Elissa and Lindsey Warden and Svea and Erica Allan.
J. Fred was well known, loved and respected by many in the community. His smile, sense of humor and heartwarming personality will be greatly missed.
The family would like to thank the Heritage staff, the entire Amedisys staff (specifically Diane and Aminda), Jason with Interim Healthcare and caregiver, Julia Fowler, for their kindness and expert care.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center, P.O. Box 9300, Morgantown, WV 26506-9300, the Alzheimer’s Association 1299 Pineview Drive #3, Morgantown, WV 26505, Wesley United Methodist Church 503 N. High St., Morgantown, WV 26505 or Amedisys Hospice, 5006 MidAtlantic Drive Morgantown, WV 26508.
Friends and family will be received for a public graveside service at the Bridgeport Cemetery, 400 Benedum Drive, Bridgeport, at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 4, with the Rev. Dr. Ken A. Ramsey presiding. Following the committal service, all guests are invited to continue to celebrate his life at The O, by Oliverio’s in Bridgeport.
Condolences:
www.hastingsfuneralhome.com
