James Jay Willson, a resident of Fairhope, died Sunday, March 2, 2008.
He was born on Feb. 1, 1940, in St. Petersburg, Fla., and graduated with honors from Northeast High School in 1958. He earned a B.S. degree from Florida State University in business in 1962.
He was a Founder member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity, president of Delta Sigma Pi business fraternity and Phi Theta Kappa honorary society. In 1963 he graduated with a M.B.A. degree form Florida State and was inducted into the Beta Gamma Sigma national honorary society.
He had a long career in retailing working for Bonwit Teller in New York City, as a divisional Merchandise manager at Ivey’s in Charlotte, North Carolina, and at Yeilding in Birmingham. After retirement, he moved to Fairhope where he was an active member of St. James Episcopal Church, the Nix Center, and an avid bridge player and traveler.
Survivors include his wife of 45 years, Linda M. Willson of Fairhope; son, Marine Lt. Col Brent S. (Radka) Willson of Newport, R.I.; daughter, Laura (Dane) Schweitzer of Folsom, Calif.; granddaughter, Olivia Schweitzer and grandson, Ian Schweitzer; sister Jane Lee Bullock of Columbus, Ga., and uncle, John Hogin of Sebring, Fla.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 8 at St. James Episcopal Church.
The family requests memorial donations be made to St. James Episcopal Church Memorial Fund, 860 N. Section St., Fairhope, AL 36532
Arrangements are by Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Homes & Crematory Inc., Fairhope.
