Max E. Wilson

ASHEVILLE - Max Elbert Wilson was born January 19, 1929 in Pensacola, N.C. He went to be with his heavenly father on Sunday, October 25, 2009. Max served as a Master Seargent in National Guard. In 1955, he started Wilsons Spring and Body Works and in 1973 changed the name to Wilsons Mobile Home Repairs, Inc. of which his son continues today. In 1960 he was instrumental in the building the Asheville Motor Speedway and was a former member and Past President of the Asheville Cosmic Club. He served as Deputy Marshal for Dwight D. Eisenhower and in 1974 he was appointed by Richard Nixon as U.S. Marshal of the Western District of N.C. and also again in 1982 by Ronald Reagan. After retiring from the Federal Government, he served as Chief Deputy with the Buncombe County Sheriffs Dept. and started Wilsons Pawn and Salvage. He attended Reed Memorial Baptist Church. Mr. Wilson was the son of the late Charles Denver Wilson and Mary Ellen Hensley Wilson. He was also preceded in death by his brother, Edward Wilson and sister, Ethel Earwood. He was also a great-great grandson of the Legendary Big Tom Wilson. Surviving are his loving wife of 60 years, Flora Fulghum Wilson of the home; three children, Tony Wilson and wife Ann of Candler; Lisa Best and husband Jay of Candler; Kristy Wilson Hurley and husband Philip of Asheville; sister, Jean Allen; brothers, Ward Wilson, Don Wilson and Bill Wilson and the light of his life, his 9 grandchildren, Kurt Wilson, Rendy Burbank (Daniel), Chelsey Wilson, Christopher Best, Tori Best, Anna Best, Kathryn Best, Mari Best and Tristan Hurley. Memorial services will be held 3 P.M. Wednesday in the chapel of Anders-Rice Funeral Home with Rev. Randy Melton officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following services at the funeral home. A private burial will be held in Ashelawn Gardens of Memory at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 37 Villa Rd., Geenville, SC 29615.