Horace Wilson Jr.

”You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16 NIV

Mr. Horace Wilson Jr was born August 10, 1947 in Mullins, South Carolina.  He was the third of eleven children of the late Mr. Horace Wilson Sr. and Mrs. Eliza Pressley Wilson.  Horace transitioned peacefully and entered into the presence of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on January 28, 2022.

At an early age, he attended Little Mount Zion Holiness Church and Beulah United Methodist Church in Mullins.  After moving to Newark, NJ he rejoined Franklin St. John Methodist Church.  Horace attended Palmetto High School but decided to delay his education when he was drafted into the U.S. Army.  He served in the Military from September 1966 to September 1968.  He was stationed at Fort Hood in Killeen, Texas.  He earned an Honorable Discharge as a SP4 during the Vietnam War.  Horace returned home to Mullins and was awarded his diploma from Palmetto High School in 1969. 

After graduation he relocated to Newark, NJ where he worked for a carpet manufacturer.  Later he used his hands working as a machinist in Roseland, NJ.  Horace moved to East Orange, NJ where he married Patricia Patterson.  There union blessed them with three children.  Horace had a desire to be an entrepreneur and found that he could use his keen since of direction and love of cars to make a living.  He purchased his own cab, and while using his ability to navigate, drove people to their destinations around the city for several years. 

Horace continued to pursue his dream of owning his own business when he founded his own trucking company, Z&M Corporation which later became JEM Transport.  During his time as an owner operator he drove both long and short hauls along the east coast starting from his office based in Newark, NJ.  He traveled as far as Canada when going north and as far as Florida when going south.  He had the opportunity to transport all types of merchandise with a specialty in flatbed loads. His business and travel also made it possible for him to meet a wide variety of people.  His business still operates today under the leadership of his eldest son, Michael-James. 

Horace was a dedicated family man and business man for over forty-five years.  He had a great sense of humor and loved to tell tales about his adventures growing up.  He had a strong will and desire to help his family and friends whenever they were in need.  Some of his hobbies included traveling with family members, fishing, purchasing cars and trucks, watching sports, playing pool and listening to soul music, especially Lou Rawls.

Also, preceding Horace in death, two brothers, George R. Wilson and Leroy Wilson and two sisters, Mrs. Frances Wilson Jackson and Mrs. Dorothy Wilson Gerald. 

Those left to cherish his love, legacy and fond memories are his loving wife of twenty-seven years, Mrs. Sylvia (Diane) Wilson, residing in their home of East Orange, NJ;  two daughters, Ms. Joyce C. Lewis of Virginia Beach, VA, and Mrs. Zandra (Scott) Wilson-Smith of Monmouth Junction, NJ; two sons, Michael-James (Ayjuana) Wilson of Florence, SC and Eric-Wesley (Karen) Wilson of Florence, SC; nine grandchildren, Ron, Jazzlynique, Kamau, Robyn, Zykeira, Jamir, Malik, Exavier and Kassidy whom he loved dearly; four sisters, Ms. Mary H. Wilson of East Orange, NJ, Mrs. Wanda W. Tutt of Aiken, SC, Ms. Geraldine Wilson of Augusta, GA and Ms. Linda F. Wilson of Columbia, SC; two brothers, Halbert (Toni) Wilson of Paterson, NJ and Albert (Claudette) Wilson of Mullins, SC; seven sister-in-law’s, Lorraine, Beulah, Brenda, Gloria, Kathy, Patricia and Ernistine; three brother-in-law’s, George, Clarence and Donnie; two devoted friends Thomas Braswell of Augusta, GA and Herman Kimbrough of Mobile, AL and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.  

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