Dr. Marlin C. "Doc" Wilson passed away on March 28, 2016 in Chattanooga, TN. He was born in Boaz, AL in Etowah County, on Sand Mountain. He was raised throughout the south but lived the majority of his life in Etowah, TN starting in October 1949. His last year was spent at Elmcroft of Shallowford assisted living facility in Chattanooga.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Maxie in 1991, after 45 years of marriage; also by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur Wilson who sang, wrote and taught gospel music representing Stamps Baxter Music Company for 45 years.

Dr. Wilson was a member of the Fellowship Sunday School Class of the First Baptist Church in Etowah having joined in January 1950. He previously served as a deacon and sang bass in the choir for over 50 years.

Doc was a World War II Veteran serving in the US Navy as a Hospital Corpsman in the Amphibs invasion of Normandy, France and was awarded the Bronze Star. He also served with the Marines.

Dr. Wilson was a past president of the Etowah Lions Club with over 65 years of perfect attendance and received the prestigious Melvin Jones Award. His pet project was sight conservation and he donated thousands of hours and money to help people see better.

He was a 60+ years member of the Masonic Lodge # 653 F and AM Mason and Knight Templar of the York Rite Masons.

Dr. Wilson enjoyed making people laugh because it made him feel good also.

Doc retired from practicing optometry in December, 1997 after 50 years. He was a member of the American and Tennessee Optometric Associations. He graduated from Sullivan High School in 1942 in Kingsport, TN; and Northern College of Optometry in Chicago, IL in 1948. He was a member of the exclusive "Tomb and Key" honor fraternity and attended ETSC in Johnson City, TN

Doc is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Rev. Jeffrey and Faith Wilson of Meadville, PA; his daughter and son-in-law, Beverlee and Gary Bartley of Chattanooga, TN; five grandchildren, Jonathan, Daniel and Matthew Wilson of Meadville, PA, Kim and her husband Ivan Cagle of Louisville, KY, Kristen Rogers of Atlanta, GA; two great-grandchildren, Holden and Kyndal Cagle; two step-grandchildren, Garrett and Christopher Bartley, and two step-great-grandchildren, Lola and Cora Bartley.

A private family burial was held at an earlier date. Please join us for a Celebration of Life Service at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, April 30, 2016 in the South Chapel of Bordwine Funeral Home with his son, Rev. Jeffrey Wilson officiating. Family will receive friends from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Saturday prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Etowah First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 317, Etowah, TN 37331 or Hospice of Chattanooga, 4411 Oakwood Dr., Chattanooga, TN 37416.

We would like to thank the staff of Hospice of Chattanooga, Elmcroft of Shallowford and Rescare Homecare for their loving and compassionate service toward our dad.