The Reverend Dr. Victor M. Wilson

Published 4:46 pm Thursday, January 23, 2025

The Reverend Dr. Victor M. Wilson passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 19, 2025 at the age of 78 years old.  

Victor, a native of Preston, England was a veteran of the British Royal Air Force. In 1972, while serving as Deputy Cruise Director on the Queen Elizabeth II, he met his wife, Jane, a passenger. With a twinkle in his eye, Victor asked Jane, “May I be of assistance?” They married in 1973.

In 1984, Victor became a US Citizen, but he always cherished his native country of England. He was an avid sports lover of track and field, sailing, soccer (“football”) and rugby. As a lifelong learner, Victor loved the sciences, nature, classical music, woodworking, and reading. 

Victor obtained degrees from Barton College (B.A.), Princeton Theological Seminary, (M. Div.) and Emory University (D. Min.).  A Presbyterian minister for over 40 years, he faithfully served congregations in North Carolina, Florida, and Pennsylvania. Victor was a dedicated teacher, minister, writer and scholar. He was author of Divine Symmetries: The Art of Biblical Rhetoric, published in 1997. 

Known for his compassionate heart, deep faith, and wonderful sense of humor, Victor continued to touch lives even while battling Alzheimer’s. 

Above all, Victor cherished his family. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and son. Victor is survived by his wife of 52 years, Jane McGoogan Wilson; daughters, Carolyn [Michael] Baughman and Katherine [Sean] Mason; grandchildren, Ellie, Jack, Luna, Henry, Emily and Connor; a brother, Geoffrey M. [Barbara] Wilson; a brother-in-law, Duncan [Sharon, “Boo”] McGoogan, a sister- in-law, Thelma Wilson, and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

He is predeceased by his parents, George H. Wilson and Helen M. Wilson and a brother, Peter M. Wilson.

A celebration of Victor’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at Tryon Presbyterian Church in Tryon, North Carolina officiated by Reverend Dr. Allan Purtill.

Following the service, a reception will be held at Tryon Estates in Columbus, North Carolina.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to any of the following: 

St John’s Presbyterian Church (Devon, PA), Tryon Presbyterian Church (Tryon, NC), MemoryCare of Asheville, Hospice of the Carolina Foothills, Princeton Theological Seminary Scholarship Fund, The Montreat Fund or UK National Trust Land Preservation

An online guest register is available at www.mcfarlandfuneralchapel.com

McFarland Funeral Chapel

Tryon, North Carolina