Obituary of William Wilson

William Thurston "Thad" Wilson 7/22/49-3/16/17 William Thurston Wilson (Thad to many) was born at home in Whitesburg, Kentucky on July 22nd 1949. He spent much of his childhood in northern Mississippi where his father pastored several rural churches. He graduated from Corinth high school in 1967 and joined the US Navy in 1969 serving on the USS Forestall. While in the Navy, he began a courtship with Lydia Love Sentell, a high school acquaintance. That courtship led to marriage, two sons, and a lifelong devotion. Lydia was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis shortly after their marriage in 1972. She spoke often that, at the time of diagnosis, she asked for a divorce so that she would not be a burden to him. He chose instead to embrace her with his whole being, not as a burden, but as a blessing. After graduating from Mississippi State in 1974, he worked as a wood heating engineer in northern Alabama until he felt the call to Ministry. In 1980, with two young children in tow, he and Lydia moved to Decatur, GA where he attended seminary. After graduating from seminary in 1984, Thurston accepted the call to a rural church in Chattooga County, GA. Though a minister's job is to provide care and support to parishioners, Thurston found that, with Lydia's continued health declines, he received as much support as he delivered in that community. By 1990, it became clear that Lydia's condition was terminal. In a conversation about life bucket lists, Lydia mentioned a desire to see the Western US. Thurston bought a used RV and resigned from his ministerial post. Thurston traveled with Lydia and his children for 15 months, seeing 33 states and covering almost 20,000 miles. He referred to the vehicle as "the queen's barge" and because Lydia was now blind and confined to a wheelchair, he and his sons charged themselves with describing to her all that they saw. The family returned to Chattooga County in the fall of 1991 so that the children could attend school. Thurston worked as a part time supply pastor while continuing to live with his family in the RV on a local church property. Lydia preceded Thurston in death by 20 years exactly. At the time of her passing, he had left her side only once, for one night, in the previous 15 years. After Lydia's passing, Thurston became focused on creating a joyful narrative for Lydia's life and for his own. He explored new modes of understanding and life philosophies that he melded with his life experiences and biblical understandings. Those that knew him during his later years heard often that happiness was a choice and that we could all choose to create happy outcomes regardless of circumstance by evaluating and changing our perspectives. Throughout his retirement he continued to minister to those around him. He thrived on helping others, both with emotional support and physical labor. He will be remembered for his willingness to bring a hammer to many a workday, a listening ear to many a personal trial, and for the use of big words. He was preceded in death by his wife Lydia Sentell; his parents, William Earnest and Georgiana Harper of Spruce Pine, NC; and his older brother George of Dixon, TN. He is survived by three sisters, Nancy Bishop (Guy) of Pulaski, VA; Jane Stokes (Martin) of Lexington, VA: and Laura Haberneck (Bill) of Spruce Pine, NC; and one brother Charles (Belinda) of Athens, Greece; and his sister-in-law Montez Wilson (widow of George) of Dixon, TN; his two sons, William Nathan (Jessica) of Monteagle, TN and Charles Allen (Amy)of Tracy City, TN and three grandchildren, William Elijah, Stella Kathryn, and Josiah James; as well as extended family and friends. A celebration of his life will take place on March 25th at 1:30 PM at the Morton Memorial Methodist Church in Monteagle, TN with a reception to follow. All are welcome. In lieu of flowers, donations in Thurston's honor can be made to the National Parks Foundation. His remains will be buried next to Lydia's in Corinth, MS