Hal E. WILSON

WILSON, Hal E.Of Nashville, TN, passed away April 16, 2010 after a long battle with cancer. He was 66. Visitation will be Sunday, April 18th from 2-6 p.m., at St. Henry's Church, 6401 Harding Road, Nashville, TN 37205. Funeral services will be held Monday, April 19th at 12 Noon, at St. Henry's Church, with burial at Harpeth Hills Memorial Gardens. Hal was the industry leader in real estate investment and renovation, with over 41 years of involvement in just about everything real estate related. His true passion was education in the industry, and trained over 50,000 students and individuals. Hal will be remembered as a man with a great attitude, enthusiasm, and lover of negotiation. He was always after the best deal and enjoyed the game tremendously. He was a consummate people collector, and everyone he met became a friend who admired, respected, and genuinely loved him. He always gave of his time and knowledge freely, rarely asking for anything in return. Hal founded The Wilson Group Real Estate Services in 1988 as a real estate investment group, which has grown into a full service real estate company, and he was one of the largest volume buyers of residential real estate in Middle Tennessee. In 1983, he was co-founder and owner of Continual Learning Institute, one of the largest real estate schools in Tennessee. He has taught at numerous schools, including Nashville Tech, Austin Peay, the former UT Nashville extension, and served as an instructor for GNAR. He co-founded "The Money Game" with Dave Ramsey, which later became "The Dave Ramsey Show." He co-hosted the popular radio show: Talking Real Estate, where he answered real estate questions and created industry awareness in the community. He has been on numerous boards, committees and received honors over his career, including, but not limited to: 2007-2010 Chaplain of the Greater Nashville Association of Realtors, Recipient of the prestigious President's Cup Award in 2006 from GNAR, Recipient of the William Tune Award - Real Estate Educator of the Year 2005 from the Tennessee Association of Realtors, Real Estate Investors of Nashville president in 1992, 1993 and 2000, Toastmasters International, Assistant Area Governor, Tennessee Organization of Professional Speakers President, 1986-1987, Preston Taylor Ministries Board of Directors and Board Chair, 2007, Gilda's Club Volunteer, Habitat for Humanity volunteer. He attended The Gathering Church, as well as Bellevue Community Church. Hal loved traveling, riding his Harley, woodworking, general piddling on his house and tractor, and hanging out with his wife of 46 years, Martha "Dickie" Frady Wilson, was his high school sweetheart and married shortly after. Hal loved and cherished his wife and best friend, who stood with him and supported him through his amazing career and long fight with cancer. They were the perfect pair. He is survived by wife, Martha Dickie Frady Wilson; daughter, Mary Wilson Crist (Anthony); daughter, Christie Wilson; son, Hal Wilson III (Casey); grandsons, Harry and Hayden Crist; sisters, Judy Wilson (Megan), Toni Wilson, Ginny Wilson Parker; brothers, Chris Wilson (Pat), Tim Wilson; sister-in-law, Marilyn Frady McAdams (Tom); dog, Brown Dog and cat, Grandkitty. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to Preston Taylor Ministries, P.O. Box 90442, Nashville, TN 37209 or Alive Hospice, 1718 Patterson St., Nashville, TN 37203. MARSHALL DONNELLY COMBS, (615) 327-1111.