Wayne Emmett Wilson

Wayne Emmett Wilson, 68, of Forest City died Monday September 10, 2018 while traveling in California.

Born December 18, 1949 in McDowell County, North Carolina, he was the son of Emmett Wilson and Wanda Geouge Wilson.

Wayne was a 1968 graduate of East Rutherford High School and went on to attend Western Carolina University.  He then began a 49 year career in the Plastics Industry where he held many positions including plant manager and corporate director of safety and training with United Southern Industries. He shared his knowledge with others through various classes taught through the Plastics Learning Network , Polymers Center, and Isothermal Community College.  He was also called upon as a safety consultant by many various industries and was a committee member for the Richard Goolsby Scholarship.

Wayne achieved the Boy Scout Eagle award and was a member of The Order of the Arrow. He enjoyed fishing, hiking, traveling, and dancing.  He proudly danced with his two daughters in Dads and Dolls at Little Broadway Studio under the direction of Rhonda Ledbetter Medford.  He also organized and danced with Encore Elite Entertainment which toured the Carolinas.  He and his wife, Linda, won many awards with self-choreographed  performances. He attended Gilboa United Methodist Church in Rutherfordton.

Surviving are his wife of 49 years, Linda Manion Wilson; two daughters, Heather Ann Wilson Libera and husband, David of Forest City, NC and Kari Grace Wilson and fiancé, Taylor Arter of Spartanburg, SC; his parents, Emmett Wilson and Wanda Geouge Wilson of Forest City, NC; a sister, Avis Wilson Finley and husband Terrell of Marion NC; four grandchildren, Glenn Wayne Earley, Julia Elizabeth Earley, Robert Maxwell “Max” Libera, and Erik James Libera all of Forest City,NC; two nephews, Zane Terrell Finley of Morganton, NC, and Coleman “Cole” Wilson Finley of Marion, NC ; a niece, Andrea Janelle Cameron and husband, Omar of Oakland, CA; and sister-in-law Jane Lynette Manion of Columbia, SC.

The family will receive friends on Monday September 17, 2018 from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm at Padgett and King Mortuary. A celebration of life service will be held Tuesday September 18, 2018 at 11:00 at Gilboa United Methodist Church in Rutherfordton with Rev. Jack Bridges officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Gilboa United Methodist Church  C/O Denise Yelton 265 Amber Oaks Drive, Rutherfordton, NC 28043.

The Padgett and King Mortuary & Crematory is in charge and an online guest registry is available at www.padgettking.com

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.