Charlie "Shag" Wilson

Charlie Wilson, better known as "Shag", departed this life at home with his family on Monday, May 12, 2025. He was one of ten children born on May 3, 1942, in Allenville (Hale County), Alabama to the late James Wilson, Sr. and Clara Smith Wilson. The family relocated to Demopolis (Marengo County), Alabama where he was raised. He was educated by the Demopolis public school system, graduating from U.S. Jones High School. Shortly after high school, he enlisted in the United States Army in 1964 in Montgomery, Alabama and was stationed in Korea as a Medical Corpsman where he received the National Defense Service Medal (NDSM) and Marksmanship (MKM) Rifle M-14 award. Life after the army in the rural south had few opportunities for young black men, so he moved to Paterson, NJ with his older sister Earnestine "Steen" and his brother-in-law Tommy in search of a better life. In January of 1968 he met a beautiful woman who he approached and said "I'm gonna marry you", and ten months later, on November 30, 1968, he married the love of his life, Barbara Jean Myers, who he affectionately called "Bob". Shag and Barbara had two children together, Wendy and Charlie, Jr. "Sonny/Chuck".
Shag started out working at the Coffee Mill in Paterson, NJ. He was a hustler and worked various jobs throughout the city of Paterson for many years until he found his niche in Paterson's "social clubs". He also attended Bergen County Community College where he took several business courses to learn about business management and investing. He worked at the famous Lucky 12 on 12th Avenue and eventually invested in The Last Round located further down on 12th Avenue. Then in the 1990s, he and nine of his friends established The 10 G's on 16th Avenue. The 10 G's stood for the 10 Gentlemen of Paterson who pooled their money together to start their very own social club. Everything came full circle when the 10 G's relocated to Lucky 12's old building on 12th Avenue and operated until 2015 when Shag and the last living partner sold the business. He later became a housing inspector for the City of Paterson which is where he worked until he retired in 2015. Through his business ventures and working for the City, his social network expanded exponentially, and he became well known and respected throughout Paterson, everybody knew Shag!
Shag always made sure his family was taken care of whether immediate or extended. He remembered everyone's birthday and made sure he always sent a card with money. Even when he was sick, he was adamant about a card being sent to whichever family member was celebrating a birthday. Although his body was failing, his mind remained sharp as a tack, and he remembered every bill that needed to be paid and when it was due. He loved his family and would do whatever he could to make sure everyone had whatever they needed. He always proudly wore his Papa t-shirts because he loved being a grandfather. He was a huge sports fan, and his teams were the New York Yankees and the New England Patriots. He also enjoyed horse racing, watching old western and vampire movies and the SyFy channel was one of his favorites. His hobbies were playing the lottery and buying scratch-off tickets. Although, Shag was not a church-going man, his wife Pastor Barbara Wilson made sure he accepted the Lord into his life before he left this earth. The late Bishop J.W. Parks would always witness to him about his salvation and say, "You have to accept Christ as your personal savior Brother Wilson" every time he saw him. One Sunday, Bishop Parks prayed for Shag's bad knee and had him walk around the church until he walked without a limp for the first time! Shag was truly amazed by the miracle, and said to his wife, "Bob, how did Reverend Parks do that!" So, it is only befitting that his final service take place in the house that Bishop Parks founded, St. Peter Church located at 175 Bishop Joseph W. Parks Blvd. Mr. Charlie Wilson AKA Shag has gained his wings and is absent from the body but present with the Lord.
Shag was predeceased by his son, Charlie "Sonny/Chuck" Wilson, Jr.; his siblings, James Wilson, Jr., Bernice "Mutt" Jackson, Rosemary "Rosa" Carter, Hattie Lue Mullen, William "Billy" Wilson, Clara "Honey" Purse, Gertrude W. Smith; brothers- in-law, Thomas "Tommy" DeGroat, Sr., Robert Jackson, Harrison Carter, James "Buddy" Purse, Alex Smith, James Myers, Henry Lee Myers, Robert Lee Jones, John Smith, and sisters-in-law, Maylene Wilson, Mary "Rine" Jones, Nancy Myers and Janice Myers.
Shag leaves to cherish his memories his beloved wife, Barbara Jean Wilson of Paterson, NJ; daughters, Wendy Elise Holmes (Levi, II) of Orange, NJ, Tai Dominique Matthews (Jameel) of Bloomfield, NJ, Kiera Karis Siane Wilson (Keith) of Paterson, NJ; son, Michael Anthony Manago (Sarika) of Ave Maria, FL; daughter- in-love, Lynnette Dorin of Salisbury, NC by way of NJ; grandchildren, Malik T. Holmes, Levi A. Holmes, III, Isaac J. Holmes, Torriona S. Wilson, Alexia B. Dorin, Julien C. Dorin, Gennaro A. Manago, Jayani M. Manago, Kiyan W. Manago, Noah RJ Matthews, Taylor NM Matthews, Keith KA Moses; great- grandchildren, Tariq, Brelani and Nevayah; sister, Earnestine DeGroat of Willingboro, NJ; brother, Bobby Wilson (Lois) of Gallion, Alabama; brother-in-law, Clinton Mullen, Sr. of Demopolis, Alabama; sisters-in-law, Eveleana Myers of Paterson, NJ, Brenda Myers of Paterson, NJ, Deloris Allen (Terrence) of Paterson, NJ, Sarah Smith of Orange, NJ, Francis Cobbs (Clarence) of Danville, VA, and Denise Myers (Wayne) of Danville, VA; and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.