William Joseph Wilson, Jr.

Jr., Wilson, William J., (Red), 86, of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, departed this life on Thursday, April 23, 2015. A distinguished noted Educator, community leader and retiree of the Broward Public Schools District, where he served as Principal, Assistant Principal, Guidance Counselor, and was elected as one of the eight special assistants to the principals appointed to implement the racial integration of predominately white schools in Broward County. He was born in Jacksonville, Florida on March 15, 1929, and a native of St. Augustine, Florida. He was the eldest of four children born to Mr. William J. Wilson, Sr., and Mrs. Alice S. Wilson. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, James Wilson and Charles Wilson, grandmother, Mrs. Anna Wilson, Son; William J. Wilson III, and grandson, Michael Joseph Wilson. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Dr. Barbara Houston Wilson; Daughter, Dr. Stefanie D. Wilson; Sister, Mrs. LottieAnn Moss and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends. A graduate of Excelsior High School in 1946 as Salutatorian, he matriculated to Florida A&M College, presently Florida A&M University, where he earned a Bachelor’s of Science Degree (1950) in Mathematics and Physics. He earned a Master’s of Education Degree in Guidance and Counseling from Florida A&M University in 1961. He served as a member of the City of Fort Lauderdale Lauderdale’s Elks Lodge #652, a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., (Beta Nu Chapter), The Red Cross and Marine Board, Men of Destiny Community Outreach, Inc., and an active member of Saint Anthony Catholic Church, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Donations can be made to “March of Dimes of Broward County” in memory of Michael Joseph Wilson. Visitation will be Friday, from 5:00PM-8:00PM, at T.M. Ralph Plantation Funeral Home.  Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, 12:30PM, at St. Anthony Catholic Church with interment following at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery with military honors.