Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory

Obituary

Thomas H. "Bug" Wilson, Jr. was born in Roanoke, Va. on July 7, 1933 to Thomas H. Wilson, Sr. and Siberia O. Hall.  He and his older sister, Constance Ensley, were raised in Roanoke by Inez Hall Wright, their maternal grandmother, and their Aunt Lula Barrett. They often took the train to visit their parents in Philadelphia. Bug graduated from Lucy Addison High School in Roanoke, Va. in 1952. 
Bug was a basketball and football star and was invited to tour and play against the Harlem Globetrotters. 
Bug's greatest accomplishment at Addison was capturing the heart of Miss Shirley Vandora Hamlar.  During high school, they would time their walks to school in order to spend time together.  Van graduated a year earlier and enrolled in Virginia State College in Petersburg.  After his graduation, he enlisted in the United States Air Force. 
Following her college graduation, Bug married his soulmate, the love of his life, Shirley V. Wilson, on March 1st, 1955. They were married for 63 years until he went to sleep and awakened in the presence of Jesus Christ, the morning of December 23, 2018. 
Bug had a distinguished career in the Air Force, and continually advanced while continuing his education by taking college courses.  He retired in 1973, after 20 years of service, as a Senior Master Sergeant. 
Bug was preceded into eternity by his parents, sister, maternal grandmother and aunt. He leaves to cherish his memory: his wife Shirley, his children Ray (Elanza), Mike, Sondra Rothermel (Ken), Tony (Cheryl, RIP), and Tom (Gloria).  He also leaves 11 grandchildren, Joseph, Amanda (Jeremy), Bryan, Danielle, Christian, Stephanie, Christina, Kimberly, Thomas IV, Tariq, Kyla, a great granddaughter Milan and a host of other loving relatives and friends. Bug was the patriarch of his family and a standard for the community.


Thomas Hall Wilson

Thomas Hall Wilson

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