Montgomery business leader Jim Wilson III dies
Montgomery businessman and philanthropist Jim Wilson III, who helped develop some of Alabama's most prominent retail centers and served on the University of Alabama Board of Trustees, has died at 59.
Wilson was chairman and chief executive officer of Jim Wilson & Associates, a Montgomery-based real estate and investment firm with a presence across the United States. He and with his brother, Will, expanded JWA and built on the legacy of the firm’s founder and their father, the late Jim Wilson Jr.
He died Saturday at his home after a brief illness.
“I am saddened to learn about the passing of Jim Wilson, III. He left an indelible mark on our community, and his contributions to our city and state are too numerous to list," said Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed. "His generosity knew no bounds when it came to the countless causes he championed throughout our region. We extend our condolences to his family and friends.”
JWA developed several projects including EastChase, a 330-acre development in east Montgomery, Riverchase Galleria in Hoover, the Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge and Redstone Gateway, a 470-acre business park adjacent to the US Army Post Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville.
The firm also invested in start-ups and established operating companies, including A&W Enterprises and 42 Equity. In addition, JWA created two residential communities in Montgomery – Wynlakes, a 1,000-acre golf course community, and New Park, a 1,000-acre mixed-use development.
The Montgomery Academy graduate earned a degree in business administration at the University of Alabama, and later served on the Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama system, where he was chair of the athletics committee. He was also President of the University of Alabama Birmingham Hospital Authority.
Wilson was the President of Wynlakes Golf and Country Club; and he served on the boards of the American Liver Foundation of Alabama, the Bryant-Jordan 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, and was a member of the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama.
He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Susie; two daughters, Lillian Pascale and Wesley Clingman; mother, Wynona Wilson; siblings, Elizabeth Hunter (Eric), Winston Reese (Gene) and Will Wilson (Kelly); sons in law, Matthew V. Pascale and James F. Clingman IV; and five grandchildren, J.W. and Nate Pascale, and Lucy, Wyn and Fully Clingman.
The funeral will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at Montgomery’s First Baptist Church. Graveside services will follow at Alabama Heritage.
Wilson also supported MANE, an organization that provides therapeutic horseback riding opportunities to children and adults in the River Region The family askes that donations be made to MANE in his memory at www.maneweb.org or by mail at MANE, 3699 Wallahatchie Road, Pike Road, Ala. 36064.
Contact Montgomery Advertiser reporter Marty Roney at mroney@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Montgomery business leader Jim Wilson III dies
