Claiborne Waddell Wilson

Claiborne Waddell Wilson, 102 of Sanford passed away Wednesday July 8, 2020. Graveside services will be held at 11AM Saturday, July 11, 2020 at Buffalo Cemetery.

Mr. Wilson was born in Harnett Co to the late Willie Edgar Wilson and Mattie Lee Ferguson Wilson. He was preceded in death by his wife, Joanne Massey Wilson and his daughter Katherine Holmes; sisters, Elsie Daniel, Dorothy Whitehead, Ola Hare, Maude Kelly,Pat Covert and Essie Wilson; brothers, Charles Nick Wilson, Phil Wilson, Howard Wilson, Hannibal Wilson, Leroy L. Wilson and Reggie Wilson.

He was a 1936 graduate of Boone Trail School and volunteered into the Army Air Corp the day after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. He attended gunnery School and was assigned to a B-17 “Flying Fortress” stationed in England. In January of 1943 he flew the first American mission over Germany. On his thirteenth mission, while flying over France, his aircraft was shot down. He escaped capture with the help of the French underground for six months then smuggled into Spain. He received a Purple Heart, two Bronze Oakleaf Clusters, and French Legion of Honor.

Mr. Wilson is survived by a special friend Rachel Butner; Grandchildren; Stephanie Welsh-Ray and Joshua Glovier of Angier, several great Grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

A special thanks to Parkview Rest & Retirement, Linda Clark and Rachel Carpenter.

Memorials can be made to Shallow Well Church, 1220 Broadway Rd, Sanford, NC 27332 or Liberty Hospice, 1005 Carthage St suite c, Sanford, NC 27330.