Tribute
Roy Paris Wilson, Jr., age 78, of Youngsville, North Carolina, passed away on Wednesday March 31, 2021.
He was a graduate of Albemarle High School in 1961, attended Lees McCrae College and went on to receive his B.A. in Religion from St. Andrew Presbyterian College. Roy worked in mental and behavioral health and substance abuse treatment throughout his career and was serving as the CEO of East Carolina Behavioral Health at the time of his retirement in 2012. Roy met the love of his life, Lynette, in 1974, and they were married in 1975. Before being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease in 2012, Roy was an active member in the church and participated in the choir. Roy became a member of Wake Forest Presbyterian Church after relocating to Youngsville in 2013. Roy loved sailing, music, and reading. He was a master of cooking on the grill and enjoyed good food and wine. In the final years of his life when he was unable do to many of the things that he loved, music, food and his family always made him smile. Roy was witty, and quick with a joke. He was outgoing and incredibly kind and polite, and truly appreciated engaging with people.
Roy was preceded in death by his parents, Roy Paris Wilson, Sr. and Corinne Allen Wilson. Roy is survived by his wife of 45 years, Lynette Wilson; daughter, Jennifer “Lynn” McNally, and son-in-law, Pat McNally; daughter, Catherine Bray, and son-in-law Trent Bray; granddaughters, Mackenzie Gatlin and Tenley Bray; brothers, William “Billy” Wilson and Daniel “Danny” Wilson; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Roy’s family would like to thank the many people who cared for Roy so well in the final years and hours of his life, including the staff at Nurturing Nest and the Emergency Department doctors, nurses and staff at WakeMed.
Roy’s family is planning a memorial service to be held at Wake Forest Presbyterian Church in the near future.
In lieu of flowers, friends may make memorial contributions to Dementia Alliance of North Carolina at dementianc.org/waystogive/ or Wake Forest Presbyterian Church wfpc.breezechms.com.