W. Scott Wilson

Walter Scott Wilson ---- Financier, community leader, naturalist and mentor to many, Wilson was one of the most widely known and highly respected figures in this section of the State. In addition to occupying the office of President and Chairman of the Bank of Coweta, he was prominent in the social and civic affairs of his surroundings, being identified with many of the leading clubs and societies. Walter Scott Wilson was born and reared in Newnan, Georgia on February 10, 1933, a son of Leonard Suttle and Lura Toliver Wilson. He was named for his paternal Grandfather who was a member of the 53rd North Carolina Regiment in the US Civil War. Wilson graduated from Newnan High School in 1951, joining the US Navy the same year. He served in the Navy Reserve until 1954, and in active duty until 1956 when he was honorably discharged. He married Billie Zane Pitts of Grantville, Georgia in 1952, spending their first year of marriage in Norfolk, Virginia during Wilson’s naval assignment. After leaving Norfolk, he and Billie Zane returned to Newnan, Georgia where he began his first association with the Manufacturers National Bank, later becoming the First National Bank of Newnan. While working at the bank during the day, he attended Georgia University at night, graduating in 1960. He later attended the Louisiana School of Banking, finishing in 1964. In 1972, Wilson joined several other prominent Newnan visionaries in the formation of The Bank of Coweta. Wilson became and remained the bank’s President between 1972 and 1993 at which time he was elected Chairman of the Board. He was later appointed Chairman Emeritus upon his retirement. His lifelong love of Central Baptist Church began in 1938 where he became a member. He served as a Sunday School teacher, Deacon, Troup 57 Scout Leader and Silver Beaver Award Winner, and a leader of the Myrtle Arnall Mann Sunday School Class. Socially Wilson is identified with several of the leading clubs of the community. He served as the President of the Newnan Rotary Club, President of the Newnan Country Club, Atlanta City Club Board of Governors, Atlanta Commerce Club, Newnan Civitan Club and the Newnan Elks Club. Commercially he served as President and Director of the Newnan Chamber of Commerce where he received the Distinguished Citizen of the Year Award, a Director of Synovus Securities, President of the Newnan United Way fund drive, and was associated with the Newnan-Coweta Planning Commission, Newnan Little League, Georgia Bankers Association and Conference of State Bank Supervisors. Educationally Wilson served on the Coweta County Board of Education from 1965 to 1980, and served as a member of West Georgia College Advisory Board. A love of birds, trees, mountains and nature in general called Wilson to hike the Appalachian Trail in its entirety. Hiking in sections over a period of 18 years, he took weekends, then weeks, finally finishing the trail in a 600-mile, six-week journey with good friend Bill Headley at the Northern Terminus in Maine in 1997. So proud of his completion, he presented countless slide shows to many groups, touting the merits of hiking and being in the great outdoors. Despite his involvement in civic and social affairs, family always came first for Wilson. He was intrinsically proud of his family heritage, often visiting Virginia and North Carolina where his parents were born. He was affectionately known as “Daddo” to his grandchildren and many of their friends. He is predeceased by his parents, his wife of 62 years, Billie Zane, his brother Leonard Suttle Wilson, Jr., his sisters Virginia Wilson Holbrook and Elizabeth (Love) Cutchshaw, and his grandson John Thomas Newton, lll. He is survived by his wife, Sandra Fuller, three children, Harriet Wilson (John T.) Newton, Jr. of Griffin, Georgia, Walter Scott (Janet Hart) Wilson, Jr. of New Orleans, Louisiana, and James Pitts Wilson of Newnan. Wilson is also survived by grandchildren, Ann Trammell Newton, Emily Zane Wilson, Toliver Hart Wilson and Hamilton Cole Wilson, his sister Carolyn (Pie) Burson and many nieces and nephews. The memorial service is Thursday, November 2, 2017 at 11 AM at Central Baptist Church, 14 W. Broad Street, in Newnan with Dr. Joel Richardson & Rev. Matt Sapp officiating. The family will receive friends following the service at the church in the fellowship hall. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.mckoon.com. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made in Scott’s memory to Central Baptist Church, P.O. Box 1221, Newnan, GA. 30264. McKoon Funeral Home & Crematory 770-253-4580

W. Scott Wilson

February 10, 1933 - October 28, 2017