Clarence “Buster” Wilson

Published 10:38 am Thursday, December 26, 2024

SUNNY VIEW — Clarence “Buster” Wilson, 91, went home to be with his heavenly Father on December 22, 2024. 

Buster was born on February 27, 1933, in the Sunny View Community where he resided at the time of his death. He was the son of the late Curtis Harvey Wilson and Ollie May Searcy. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a son Dwayne Allen Wilson, a daughter-in-law Barbara J. Wilson, three brothers Tommy, Wayn, and Calvin Wilson, and three sisters Violet Jackson, Grace Marlowe, and Iona Nelon. 

Buster served in the United States Air Force from 1953-1957; stationed in San Antonio, Texas, Belleville, Illinois, spent a year in Thule, Greenland, and finished his military career in Greenville, South Carolina. He enjoyed reminiscing about his time serving in the military. He was a member of Coopers Gap Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon, Sunday School teacher, and historical committee member. Over the years, he was involved with the Sunny View Ruritan Club, Sunny View Volunteer Fire Department, and Polk County Republican Party. He, along with his wife Ailene, owned and operated Sunny View Grocery for over 26 years. Buster served as County Manager for Polk County as well as Tax Supervisor. After selling his grocery store in 1984, he opened Red Mountain Trading Post in 1996. After 26 years in the hardware business, he finally retired at the age of 89. A saying he loved to live by was “If you don’t work, you don’t eat”.

Buster is survived by his wife of 71 years, Ailene Pace Wilson; a son Michael Wilson; two daughters, Sheila Whitmire (Glenn) and Rhonda Rimer (Keith), all of Sunny View; seven grandchildren, Ryan Wilson (Lindsay) of Easley, S.C., Lucas Whitmire (Clarissa) of Brisbane, Australia, Kristin Montgomery (Chris) of Green Creek, Lauren Abril (Chris) of Sunny View, Patrick Rimer (Hannah) of Columbus, Wilson Rimer (McKenzie) of Hendersonville, and Evan Rimer (Anna) of Cary. He was also blessed with 17 great-grandchildren; River and Rowan Wilson, Grant and Emma Whitmire, Khloe, Camden, Kenna, Carter and Colton Montgomery, Chandler, Finn, Hallie and Hayden Abril, Trey, Tenley and Tessa Rimer, Tate Rimer. Also surviving are many nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends Sunday, December 29, 2024, from 1:30 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. at Coopers Gap Baptist Church.

Funeral services will follow at 3:00 p.m., Sunday at the church with Reverend Donald Hollifield officiating.

Burial will follow in the church cemetery with military honors conducted by the Polk County Veterans Memorial Guard.

An online guest register is available at mcfarlandfuneralchapel.com

McFarland Funeral Chapel

Tryon