Sgt. Hoyt Wilson

Hoyt Wilson, Command Sergeant Major(U.S. Army Retired), age 79, of Dahlonega, GA, died October 3, 2010, at his residence.

Sgt. Wilson was born in Hall County, GA July 25, 1931. He had lived in Lumpkin County since 1970.

He served 26 years in the U.S. Army He was a U.S. Army Ranger. He completed his Ranger training in 1952. He served in Korea and Viet Nam and also served at Camp Frank D. Merrill in Dahlonega for 13 years as Ranger Instructor and Sergeant Major, and North Georgia College and State University with the ROTC program. He received many decorations including the Purple Heart.

Sgt. Wilson was the son of the late Ode Wilson and Gladys Peck Wilson and was also preceded in death by his wife of 34 years, Sarah Wilson, and several brothers and sisters.

He is survived by his daughter, Jill Wilson Sampson, Dahlonega, GA; sons and daughters in law, Bruce and Allison Wilson, Gainesville, GA, Vince and Cindy Wilson, Gainesville, GA; brothers, Ray Wilson and Billy Wilson; sisters, Lucille Bell, Joyce Wilson, Mary Grant, and Martha Guidy; grandchildren, Chelsea Wilson and Coleman Wilson. A number of other relatives also survive.

Funeral services for Sgt. Wilson are scheduled for 11 AM Wednesday October 6, 2010 at the Banister Funeral Home Chapel in Dahlonega. Rev. Dean Bryant will officiate.

Interment will follow in Alta Vista Cemetery in Gainesville with full military honors.

The family will receive friends at Banister Funeral Home in Dahlonega on Tuesday, October 5, 2010 from 5 PM until 8 PM.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Sgt. Wilson's memory to the U.S. Mountain Ranger Association Scholarship Fund, c/o USMRA, 1 Camp Frank D. Merrill, Dahlonega, GA 30533

Banister Funeral Home of Dahlonega is in charge of the arrangements.