Prominent businessman and long-time board trustee at the University of Alabama (UA) James Wilson III died at his home on March 11 at the age of 59.
Wilson served for 20 years on UA's board, overseeing the construction of dozens of buildings on the UA System campuses. He also served as chair of the UAB Health System Board and was instrumental in the Health System's unprecedented growth and success, UA said.
"Jim was an avid Alabama football fan, served on the Crimson Tide Foundation Board of Directors, and was the current chair of the Athletics Committee of the Board of Trustees," the school said in a statement. "We will miss our friend and colleague, who always kept us laughing. We are holding his wife, Susie, his daughters, Wesley and Lillian, his grandchildren, and his many other loved ones in our thoughts and prayers."
Wilson was also chairman and CEO of Montgomery-based real estate and investment firm Jim Wilson & Associates (JWA). According to JWA, Wilson helped develop several real estate projects, including Riverchase Galleria in Hoover, Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge, EastChase in Montgomery and Redstone Gateway in Huntsville.
"Jim will be remembered for his unrivaled charisma, unfiltered humor and unfettered love of his family and friends," the company said in a release. "Jim was kind, fun, boisterous, and just like his father, an expert in the art of celebration. If you were with Jim Wilson III, you were having a great time."
Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth also offered his condolences: "Jim Wilson will be remembered forever as a great Alabamian and businessman. The list of his contributions to the state is long, but his true legacy is his commitment to faith, family, and service. Join me in sending the Wilson family our prayers of comfort."
Wilson was also active on a number of other boards and organizations, such as the American Liver Foundation of Alabama, the Bryant-Jones Student Athletic Program, the American Sports Medicine Institute, the Business Council of Alabama, the Montgomery Symphony Orchestra, Baptist Hospital, Boy Scouts of America, First Baptist Church Foundation, Metro YMCA, Tukabatchee Area Council, the Montgomery Council on Aging, the Jackson Hospital Foundation.
The funeral will be held in Montgomery on Wednesday, March 15.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email daniel.taylor@1819news.com.
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