Pat Wilson

Paul "Pat" Layne Wilson age 87 of Rocky Mount passed away on Friday, January 31, 2025 at his home surrounded by his loving family.

Funeral services will be conducted 11 AM Tuesday, February 4, 2025 at Conner-Bowman Funeral Home with Mr. Aaron Ratliff and Pastor Bryan Ratliff officiating. Interment will follow with military honors at Maple Grove Cemetery. Pat's family will receive friends one hour prior to the service beginning at 10 AM at the funeral home.

Pat was born on November 12, 1937 at Copper Hill, VA along with his twin brother James “Mike” Wilson to Ethel and Jim Wilson.
He was a dedicated & wonderful husband to Peggy Wilson, his loving wife of 60 years, and a devoted father to Todd Wilson, daughter in-law Stephanie Wilson, and special niece Sherrie Snead. He was a proud grandfather to two grandchildren, Abigail Wilson and Amelia Modrow. Pat is preceded in death by his brother Mike Wilson, and 2 sisters Agnes Church & Phylis Barkhiemer. Pat was proud to serve our Country as a Marine along side his brother Mike. Pat served for 7 years and was stationed in Saudi Arabia and Cypress on Embassy duty.

On a cold night in 1956, Pat went to a dance and spotted Peggy Montgomery across the room and he jitterbugged his way into her heart. After his service as a Marine, the 2 were married in 1964. Their beautiful marriage was an inspiration & shining example for all couples to follow. He started work at SealTest Dairy as a Maintenance Technician. Later he took a job at Roanoke Gas Company. Pat was skilled at repairing nearly anything & a hardworking man who built a long career at the Roanoke Gas Company where he worked for 33 years. He started in the Service Dept. and rose through the ranks to Regulation Division Manager in the Engineering Department. He was responsible for designing & constructing regulator & meter stations that served numerous people in the Roanoke valley. He spearheaded many of the operational technology advancements during his tenure and continuously researched and implemented technology upgrades as a means of improvement. It was also a great honor and career pinnacle for him to Chair the Appalachian Gas Measurement Short Course, which included several thousand international attendees. His expertise in gas measurement and regulation was well respected. After retirement he also worked several more years at VA Utility Protection Services with his friend and colleague Rick Pevarski providing public awareness throughout the Commonwealth where he was loved and respected by all that he touched. Pat also held a master electrician & master plumbers license for many years. Pat also enjoyed the hobby of refurbishing antique tractors with his twin brother Mike.

Pat’s kindness, generosity, and unwavering love for his family will never be forgotten. He was a patriarch & unmatched father figure to many family members & touched so many lives with his positive, witty & caring council. 

Arrangements by Conner-Bowman Funeral Home, 62 VA Market Place Drive, Rocky Mount, VA 24151.