George Robert Wilson, 85, of Campbellsville, KY, the son of the late Fleece and Catherine (Shipp) Wilson was born October 29, 1936 in Indianapolis, Indiana and departed this life on Wednesday, June 22, 2022 in Lebanon at the Springview Hospital.

George was a former employee of Fruit of the Loom in Campbellsville, having retired after 46 years and was of the Baptist Faith. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and UK Basketball. George joined the Taylor County Fire Department in 1967, and in 1970 he became Chief of the department. He held that office until retiring in 2021 and held the office of DES/EM Director also for over 50 years. In 2017, a new facility was built on Greensburg Road and was dedicated in honor of Mr. Wilson. He helped build the old firehouse downtown and solicited money from businesses and the general public and organized volunteers to erect the structure. He was instrumental with many other parts with the fire department, including starting the membership dues fund which help offset operating expenses, securing funding for PPE, fire trucks, equipment, and the new fire house, and worked tirelessly during each Crusade for Children and the annual pancake breakfasts.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Sondra Harris; 2 brothers: David Wilson and Charles Lester Wilson; and a great-grandchild.

SURVIVORS:

His wife: Linda (Cravens) Wilson

7 children: Dewayne (Terry Lile) Wilson, Brent (Bobbie) Irwin, Cathy Wilson all of Campbellsville, Velisa King of Alabama, Georgeanna Grant of Harrodsburg, Bridget (Nate Johnson) York of Bowling Green and Robin (Brandon) Lewis of Columbia

1 sister: Lillie Ann Whitaker of Campbellsville

20 grandchildren: Jessica Loveland, Malissa (Justin Graves) Clemons, Lane Irwin, Ethan Irwin, Ethan Irwin, Autumn Key, Curtis Wade Key, Channing (Josh) Wall, Shelby Grant, Landon Irwin, Melody Irwin, Madilynn Grant, Tabitha Grant, Logan Cook, Sarah Cook, Kelsay Cook, Roslin (Josh) Smith, Morgan Spoon, Bodie Lewis, Dustin Ivie and Jake Grider

13 great-grandchildren

Funeral Service: Sunday, June 26, 2022 at 2:00pmET at L.R. Petty Funeral Home in Campbellsville, KY with Bro. Ronnie Dooley, Bro. Dan Durham and Bro. Sheldon Stephens officiating

Entombment: Campbellsville Memorial Gardens with fireman honors 

Visitation: Saturday from 5:00pm-8:00pmET and Sunday after 7:00amET at the funeral home

Memorials are suggested to the Taylor County Fire Department and can be made at the funeral home or by clicking the “DONATION” tab on the lrpetty.com website.