Jack W. Stillwagon

Jack W. Stillwagon

Greenville

Jack Wright Stillwagon, 93, husband of Ida Jean Bouldin Stillwagon, went to be with his Lord and Savior September 18, 2015.

Jack was always happy, and not much upset him; he always looked on the bright side of life. He was a doer and not one to sit idly by. He helped everyone he could: he was the friend you could always count on. After all, he is a part of the greatest generation this country has ever had.

After graduating from Connersville High School 1940, Jack worked a short time at P&LE Railroad before joining the U.S. Army in 1942. He was stationed in the Southern Philippines, and engaged in combat in Okinawa. For his service, he was awarded the Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon with two Bronze Stars, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon, the Good Conduct Ribbon, the Purple Heart Metal, and the WWII Victory Medal. After being wounded by a Japanese hand grenade that almost cost his life, he was honorable discharged in May of 1945, with shrapnel remaining in his leg.

When he left Connersville for his Army training his mother told him to always visit the local First Baptist Church. Upon arriving in Memphis, TN for his training, he followed his mother's orders and attended First Baptist Memphis. It was there that he met Ida Jean Bouldin, his future bride. After the war, he returned to Memphis, and they were married at First Baptist Memphis on November 8, 1946.

He and Ida Jean stayed in Memphis, and in 1946 was employed with a cotton brokerage firm on the famous Front Street that bordered the Mississippi River. And in 1965, Jack formed his own cotton brokerage company with "Bunny" Bloodworth called Southern Cotton Sales. He continued in the cotton brokerage business until his retirement in August of 1990.

Jack remained an active member of First Baptist Memphis, serving as a deacon for over 40 years. He also served as a Sunday school director in the church's adult ministry; he was a member of multiple committees, including the church's financial committee; and for over 10 years he assisted the members of the church who had difficulty driving to Sunday services. For all of his willful altruism he was given the honor of Deacon Emeritus.

Jack was also greatly involved in Civitan International and Boy Scouts, leading scouts for over 10 years. In his spare time, he loved fishing, boating, woodworking, stained-glass design, making crafts with shells, and clock-making.

In July of 2003, Jack and Jean moved to Greenville, SC to be close to their children and grandchildren.

Surviving, in addition to his wife, are two sons, Gary Bouldin Stillwagon of Atlanta, GA, and William Bruce Stillwagon, and his wife Hetty Susan Stillwagon, of Greenville, SC. He also has a sister, Betty Bailey of Vanderbilt, PA, and five grandchildren, Gary Bouldin Stillwagon, Jr., Lincoln Caudill Stillwagon, Laura Kathryn Stillwagon, James Wesley Burnett, and Matthew Scott Burnett. And finally, two great-grandchildren, Olivia Grace Burnett and Zoe Morgan Burnett.

He was predeceased by his parents, Emerson and Luella Stillwagon, and his brother, William Gail Stillwagon.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, September 25, 2015 in the Palmetto Room of Rolling Green Village, 1 Hoke Smith Blvd, Greenville, SC 29615.

The family will receive friends from 10:45 until 11:45 A.M. Friday, at the Mackey Mortuary.

Burial will follow at 12:30 p.m. on Friday in Cannon Memorial Park, Fountain Inn, with military honors.

In lieu of flowers, send honorariums to Pelham Road Baptist Church Greenville, SC or First Baptist Church, Memphis, TN.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.mackeymortuary.com

The Mackey Mortuary