TO THE CHAPTER INVISIBLE
“I AM SADDENED TO HEAR THE NEWS OF GEORGE WILSON’S PASSING. HE IS A LEGEND IN THE GAME OF BASKETBALL: A NATIONAL CHAMPION, OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST, NBA PLAYER, PROUD BEARCAT, AND A TRAILBLAZER IN HIS ERA. I WAS FORTUNATE TO SPEND TIME WITH HIM ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS. OUR ENTIRE CINCINNATI PROGRAM SENDS ITS REGARDS TO GEORGE’S FAMILY, LOVED ONES AND THOSE HE IMPACTED OVER HIS LIFETIME.” – Wes Miller University of Cincinnati, Men’s Basketball Head Coach
One of his major achieve- ments while working for CCY, was the restoration of the historic landmark “Harriet Beecher Stowe House”. The project was undertaken primarily by troubled youths, whom Wilson guided, mentored, and formed into a strong- bonded team. Wilson was an avid golfer and was a founding member of the W.E.S.T (Wilson, Evans & Scott Tour) golf club in 1976. He competed in the Senior Olympics in golf, basket- ball, and horseshoes. He was also the author of a children’s book “Mr. Jif’s Adventures.” He was hon- ored to carry the Olympic torch through one leg of its route through the USA.
and coaches in honor of the 100th anniversary of the IHSA boys basketball tournament. Brother George Wilson is survived by his precious memory: his loving wife, Jean; his sons, Derek (Ger- aldine) Wilson; and Brian (Brad Englund) Wilson; and his daughter, Ariana (Tony) Robinson; his former wife, Sheila Adams; grandchildren, Derek Lamont Wilson Jr., Jamal Lawrence Wilson, Mailk Trey Wilson, Isaiah George Wilson (all 4 mothered by Daniele Bach Wilson), Anthony Jalen Robinson, and William Thomas Robinson; along with a host of family, members of his church, friends and former teammates. ♦
He was also the recipient of several community service awards. In 1983, UC inducted Wilson into its Hall of Fame. He was also a charter member of the Illinois Basketball Coaches Associ- ation (IBCA) Hall of Fame
and a member of the Ohio Basketball and Northern Kentucky Halls of Fame. In 2006 Wilson was voted as one of the 100 Legends of the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Boys Basketball Tournament, a group of former players
112 THE JOURNAL ♦ SUMMER 2023
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