~ IN MEMORY ~
SO/RC/NWA Capt. William “Crash” Gerald Wilcoxon
November 16, 1937 ~ March 9, 2022
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/thebrunswicknews/name/williams-wilcoxon-obituary?id=33598996
Crash Wilcoxon
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/brunswick-ga/william-wilcoxon-10621909
William Gerald Wilcoxon left us peacefully on the
afternoon of March 9, 2022, in the comfort of his home on St. Simons Island
Ga., surrounded by his loving family. He rests now in the arms of the Lord and
is reunited with his friends and family who have gone before him.
He was preceded in death by his mother and father,
Jessica and Floyd Wilcoxon; his honorary father, Calvin Simmons, and his older
brother, Robert Mack Wilcoxon.
Crash was born in Kingsport, Tenn. There he
enjoyed an idyllic childhood playing along the banks of the Tennessee River. He
cast trot-lines on his way to school and competed fiercely with his older
cousins and brother in sports. Humble beginnings stirred in his young heart the
desire to succeed and planted lifelong seeds of motivation.
Crash's family moved to Roswell, Ga., where he
graduated from Roswell High School as an outstanding athlete. He was inducted
into the first class of the Roswell High Athletic Hall of Fame. He set a school
record with 16 varsity letters in football, baseball, basketball and track. He
was selected by the Atlanta Journal Constitution as a first team All State
quarterback twice. He played for the legendary Coach Yoast while at Roswell
High, and his talented football career became an inspiration for a character in
the movie "Remember the Titans."
Crash was awarded a football scholarship to
Georgia Military Junior College, where he rose to become Company Commander,
among other honors, while continuing to shine under the lights as the
quarterback for the football team. He went on to graduate from Georgia State
University with a bachelor's degree in political science.
As a young teacher and football coach, he advanced
to the position of head football coach. He was then honored to become the head
coach for the Atlanta Spartans, the semi-pro football team in Atlanta.
Crash had the humble opportunity to serve on the
board for Georgia Military College, and was honored to be selected as the
keynote speaker at their Alumni Weekend.
His life's career as an airline captain gave him
the nickname of Crash in the men's locker room of Atlanta Country Club by his
golf buddies. He flew for Southern Airways, Republic Airways and Northwest
Airlines, through mergers, a career that spanned over 25 years. Throughout his
career, and after retiring, Crash had many "projects" - as he
referred to them. These investments remarkably ranged from collision repair of
Corvettes in the 60s, constructing fine homes in the 70s, restoring historic
Naylor Hall in the 70s, building his own private residence using architectural
elements salvaged from the Atlanta Country Club's historic clubhouse, hotel
properties in the 80s and 90s, to retail establishments in the 2000's. Many of
these business ventures were discussed and negotiated on the golf course, and
in the men's locker room.
Always keen for a good investment, he and a group
of fellas even one time decided to purchase a race horse. There was never a
dull moment with Crash.
Crash's interests were varied, including boating,
golf and music. Plenty will remember Crash for his beautiful soft voice as he
entertained many with his favorite Elvis ballad, "Can't Help Falling in
Love," and Sinatra's "My Way."
He loved adventures and the exciting journeys of
the many waterways he traveled. With his wife, Jennifer, and daughter,
Caroline, in tow, he completed half of the Great Circle Route in his houseboat,
The Captain Crash, and cruised the Gulf and the inter-coastal waterways along
the Eastern Seaboard in his historic Trumpy yacht, The Drifter. From New
Orleans to Sag Harbor, from Chattanooga to St. Simons, many lifetime memories
and new friends were made along the way. Navigating through 13 locks, including
Wilson Lock, the second tallest in the world, through open seas in the Long
Island Sound, circling the Statue of Liberty, and cruising through the candy
colored sunsets ... life on the water really spoke to our Captain.
If he wasn't on the water, Crash could be found
enjoying a beautiful, albeit competitive, round of golf. He enjoyed memberships
at Atlantic Country Club and Sea Island Club. Crash was always serious about
his game, and there was usually a wager involved amongst his golf buddies. If
you had the chance to play with him he would say with a smirk, "bring
cash."
Even though he was never shy about selling a
house, Crash loved Butler Cottage, his 1913 cottage in King City. Many friends
and passersby fell into the easy routine of porch life with him there. Whether
for coffee or cocktails, if Crash was in his chair, the open invitation was known.
Laughter would often permeate the neighborhood as tall tales were shared.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 33
years, Jennifer Chatham Wilcoxon; and his four children, William Gerald
Wilcoxon Jr. (Stacey), Elizabeth Wilcoxon Selman (Matt), Wendy Wilcoxon Palmer
and Jessica Caroline Wilcoxon; along with six grandchildren, Allie and Austin
Wilcoxon, Charlotte and Calvin Selman and Alex and Reagan Palmer.
Those of us who survive him are honored to pick up
his torch, even knowing that to replicate his magic would be impossible. We are
simply so grateful for the lessons, love, memories and traditions that he
imparted to us over the years.
An intimate family memorial is planned for
Tuesday, March 15. Memorial contributions can be made to Georgia Military
College.
We are heartbroken and overwhelmed with grief and
pain at the loss of our Crash. His memory and his light will be remembered by
all who knew and loved him. We say, see you soon again, to our family hero who
has left us with wonderful memories, full hearts, and a legacy of love.
To my Crash ... I carry you in my heart my love,
until we meet again.
Passing time can never fade
All the special memories made;
Loved ones never really part
For they live inside your heart.
He will be missed by many, but the legacy of Crash
will live on forever.
Family-placed obituary
The Brunswick News, March 12, 2022
Published by The Brunswick News on Mar. 12, 2022.
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