William Kelly Wilson, 52, of Statesville, N.C., passed away Saturday, January 25, 2025, with his mother and sister by his side. He fought a brave and courageous battle with cancer.

He graduated from West Iredell High School and later completed two years of studies at Catawba Valley Community College (CVCC) in Hickory, N.C. Early in life, Kelly became of the Baptist faith.

Kelly was employed with Thomasville Furniture for several years before deciding to attend the police academy. He worked with the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office and Statesville Police Department for over 17 years. Desiring an easier pace of life, Kelly decided to join Lowe’s Company. He loved going to work there everyday until his health began to fail. His colleagues welcomed him and were so very good to him. He loved selling and always said, “he could sell ice to an eskimo” (like his dad).

Kelly loved the Dallas Cowboys and his beloved vintage 1993 Ford Mustang Convertible.

He was preceded in death by his dad, Larry “Willie” Wilson; and Papaw, Rex Pharr Shaver. He always said, “My Papaw taught me how to be a gentleman and my dad taught me how to be a man.”

Surviving to cherish his memory are his beloved mom, Jan Wilson Hucks; sister, Lesley J. Brown; two children, Natalie Elizabeth of Alabama and Elias Wayne (Kelly) of Tennessee; one granddaughter, Della Jo; niece, Brooke S. Brown of New York; nephew, Drew Dellinger of Hickory, N.C.; two great nephews, Aspen and Wesley Dellinger; and several cousins and many friends, all of whom he loved.

Pastor Sam Vallini will be officiating the memorial service on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Nicholson Funeral Home Chapel. The family will receive friends from 10:30 a.m. until the hour of the service.

A special thank you is extended to Dr. S. Rudnick of Winston-Salem and Dr. Matthew Horn of Mocksville for their dedicated care and friendship. Also, gratitude is given to Hospice & Palliative Care Nurses and Staff. May God bless each of you.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Iredell County, 2247 Simonton Road, Statesville, N.C. or Freedom Baptist Church, 126 Sulphur Springs Road, Hiddenite, N.C.

Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family.