FALMOUTH – James William Wilson, 89, passed peacefully Sunday, Nov. 14, 2010, at Foreside Harbor, Falmouth Foreside. Jim was born Aug. 30, 1921, in Franklin, Pa., son of James and Isabella Alice Webb Wilson. When “Jim Bill” was 14, the family moved to Baltimore, where he graduated from City College with his high school diploma. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, stationed for a time in Bar Harbor, where he met his future mate, Marcella V. Davis, while traveling on a train. Both Jim and Marcella were traveling to “break” engagements and it was love at first sight! The couple married Jan. 9, 1946, at Marcella’s home, Dublin Street, Machias. Jim continued his duties as a naval corpsman in Norfolk, Va., and Marcella taught school. Later, the couple moved back to Jim’s home in Baltimore where he enrolled in a program to train television technicians. He was hired at WMAR-TV Channel 2 Baltimore, the eighth television station established in the nation. He televised many high profile events including the funeral of President John F. Kennedy, sitting next to Haile Selassie I, president of Ethiopia at the time. In 1958, he was privileged to televise the National Football League Championship Game between the New York Giants and the Baltimore Colts considered by many to be the greatest football game ever played. He televised all of the Baltimore Colts and Baltimore Orioles – including World Series – games during his years at WMAR, building many friendships along the way. After his retirement from WMAR in 1984, Jim remained with the Orioles for a few more years. In the 1960s, the Wilsons purchased an old inn at Martin’s Point, Friendship, where many coastal Maine summers were enjoyed. He loved the state of Maine, especially Down East and Marcella’s Machias home. After retirement, the Wilsons moved to Applegate, Falmouth Foreside. Jim had a special relationship with his mother-in-law, Alice Davis, making holidays special for her and diligently delivering the daily paper each day while she was a resident at Falmouth by the Sea. Jim was an accomplished painter, an avid fisherman and baseball fan. He loved a good book and a good movie, being especially proud of his collection of Academy Award winning movies. He was a member of Woodfords Congregational Church, Woodfords Men’s Club and Falmouth Country Club. Jim lost Marcella, the love of his life, in 2009, after 63 years of marriage. He leaves a beloved sister, Margaret “Peggy” Janicula of Glen Burnie, Md.; two nieces, Dannielle and Allison Christine; a nephew, Faion; a sister-in-law, Laura A. Maxwell of Pittsfield; a nephew, William L. Graham and his spouse, Marilyn, and children, Charles and Kristyn and her husband, Joshua, and their children, Jordan and Jillian, also of Pittsfield. In addition to his parents, James and Isabella Alice Wilson, and Marcella’s parents, Calvin and Alice Davis, Jim was predeceased by brothers-in-law, Lt. Charles W. Graham and Edward E. Maxwell. The family thanks the loving caregivers at Falmouth by the Sea and Foreside Harbor. Graveside services will be held 1 p.m. Monday, Nov. 22, at West Kennebec Cemetery, Machias, with the Rev. John Sprague, presiding. Arrangements have been entrusted to Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St., Portland. <
JAMES WILLIAM WILSON
