Billy Boyd Wilson died on December 16, 2011, in Heidelberg, Germany. He was born March 4, 1934, to Billy and Elizabeth Boyd Wilson of Lebanon, Va. He was preceded in death by his parents, and an infant daughter, Donna Wilson. He is survived by a daughter, Michelle Ligon, and two grandchildren, Sommer Barnes and Isaac Barnes, all of Boone, N.C.

Bill graduated in 1954 from Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk, N.C. He joined the U.S. Army where he entered Officers Candidate School. As a member of Special Forces and the 82nd Airborne Division of Fort Bragg, he served two tours in Vietnam. While serving in the Special Forces, he was a member of the team that performed the now-historic parachute jump for President John F. Kennedy during the President's visit to the Special Warfare Center at Fort Bragg on October 12, 1961. In 1974, he retired in Heidelberg, Germany, having served for 20 years. Bill was an avid horseman, enjoyed skiing, travel, and driving his Porsche. He was buried in Germany where he spent his retirement years.