John Clay Wilson

John Clay Wilson died peacefully July 3, 2015 at the Fayetteville Veterans' Home. John was born January 5, 1943 in Jefferson City, Mo. He played saxophone in the Fayetteville High School band and graduated in 1961. John joined the U.S. Naval Reserves that year and served on the USS Robert K. Huntington, most notably in the Black Sea during the Cuban Missile Crisis. After military service, John studied accounting and economics at the University of Arkansas. He thrived in the hospitality business, managing restaurants, bars, theatres and hotels in Tybee Island, Ga., Columbus, Miss., and Fayetteville. He also logged over 1 million miles as a tractor-trailer driver in the late 1970's. Before he retired, John worked at the Department of Motor Vehicles in Springdale where he was surprised to meet and work with so many nice people. He was wickedly funny, a devout Democrat and fervent opponent of telecommunications companies. An avid reader, John acquired a considerable collection of films, books and classical music. John was an accomplished woodworker who made furniture, collectibles and the hand-carved cane he used daily in later life. Known to many, most especially by his adoring nieces, as "Uncle John," he is survived by brothers Douglas Wilson and David Wilson, sister Margot Wilson Henderson, and nieces Aimee Henderson, Emily Wilson, Katie Dale, Ginny Wilson-Hayes and Laura Wilson. The family will hold a private memorial service this week. In lieu of flowers, Uncle John would have wanted donations made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.