Noel Estel Wilson, Jr. (Lt. Col. USAF Ret.), age 88, died peacefully at his home on February 5, surrounded by his family. He was born February 14, 1928, in Greenwood, MS to N.E. and Vera Wilson. He grew up in Starkville and graduated from Starkville High School in 1945. He joined the Army Air Corps at the age of 17 and served in the World War II Army of Occupation for 3 years; He then returned home and entered MSU. He earned his B.S. degree in Management in 1953 and his commission in the USAF through the ROTC program. That same year he married Sara Edwards in Little Rock, AR. They are the parents of one son and two daughters. In 1954 he graduated from pilot training and began a distinguished career, spanning the next 25 years. He flew various types of airplanes ranging from the huge C-124 to the small Cessna 0-1 which he flew in Vietnam as a forward air controller in over 550 missions. His military decorations include the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Air Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal and the Republic of Vietnam Medal of Honor. Following his retirement from the Air Force in 1978, he moved back home to Starkville and worked for several years at NBC Bank (now Cadence) as personnel Director. Having earned his M.S. degree at the University of Colorado in 1962, he began doctoral studies at MSU. He taught in the School of Business and was Director of the Small Business Development Center prior to his second retirement in 1995. He was a man of many hobbies and interests, including hunting, fishing, shooting sports, gardening and cooking. Retirement afforded him the opportunity to participate in various volunteer projects in the community. Throughout most of his adult life he was active in Scouting, and in 1984 he received the Silver Beaver Award, the highest civilian award given by the Boy Scouts of America. He graduated in the first Master Gardener class in Oktibbeha County and served as president of that group for several years. He was a champion skeet and trap shooter and was inducted into the MS Trap Association Hall of Fame in 2012 One of his greatest joys was using those skills to coach in the 4-H shooting sports program where he touched the lives of many young people. He was named a Paul Harris Fellow by the Starkville Rotarians in recognition of his many hours of volunteer work. He was an active and faithful member of the Presbyterian Church all of his adult life, serving as deacon, elder, Sunday School teacher, lay speaker, cooking team, and participant in mission trips.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Martha Ballard.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Sara; son, Noel Wilson of New York City; daughters, Jayna McQuade (Kevin) of Centreville, VA, Libby Stephan (Paul) of Houston, TX; four grandchildren, Masson Stephan and Sara James (Chad) of Houston, TX, Clare Henry (Peter) and Wade Angeli of Centreville, VA; and two great grandchildren; brothers, James R. (Bettye) and William L. (Beverly) of Starkville and a number of nieces and nephews.

Visitation is scheduled for Wednesday, February 8, 2017 from 9:00-10:30 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Starkville, MS, with the funeral service immediately following at 11:00 a.m. in the church sanctuary. Dr. Martin Lifer will conduct the service. Burial will be in Memorial Garden Park Cemetery in Starkville.

The family suggests that memorials be made to the Boy Scouts of America, Pushmataha Council, First Presbyterian Church of Starkville, or Palmer Home for Children.