Home » Past Obituaries » Dan Burton Wilson, Jr.

Dan Burton Wilson, Jr.

Dan Wilson Pic 2Dan Burton Wilson, Jr., age 69 of Gatlinburg and formerly of Lebanon, passed away on Tuesday April 21, 2015 at the Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center in Knoxville, TN.  He was born in Lebanon on January 4, 1946 to Dan “Burton” Wilson and Mignon VanHook Wilson who both preceded him in death.

Mr. Wilson graduated from Lebanon High School in 1964.  He also graduated from Cumberland University with an Associates of Arts Degree.  He worked for 20 years at Sony/ATV (Tree) Publishing Company in Nashville as a song plugger, writer, producer, and Vice President of Creative Affairs.  During his music career he wrote and co-wrote hundreds of songs, some of which were recorded by Ricky Skaggs, The Oak Ridge Boys, Jerry Reed, and more.  He co-wrote one Billboard #1, “War is Hell on the Homefront too”, recorded by T.G. Sheppard in 1982.  Although he had other top 10’s of his own, Dan was best known for his incredible gift of matching the perfect country song with the artist and can be attributed to many #1 hits and breakthrough songs for several country singers.  He retired from the business in 1996 and moved to Gatlinburg, a place he dearly loved. He was a good ol’ country boy at heart and enjoyed hunting, fishing and being in the mountains.  He was of the Methodist faith and attended Lebanon’s First United Methodist Church.

A celebration of his life will be held in the chapel of the Ligon & Bobo Funeral Home on Tuesday May 12, 2015 at 6:00pm with Rev. David Hesson officiating.  His family will receive friends on Tuesday May 12, 2015 from 4:00pm until services at 6:00pm.  In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Dan Wilson Memorial Trust at any branch of Suntrust Bank.

He is survived by daughters; Tori (Mark) Langellier of Heyworth, IL and Karen Fischer of Normal, IL;  grandchildren, Gage, Carsyn, and Kannon Langellier of Heyworth, IL, Kaleb Peterson, Jake Fischer of Normal, IL; sister, Betty Mitchell; niece, Wynne Luter; and nephew, Tom Mitchell.

Dan will be remembered for his creative talent, his ability to make people laugh, and his love for his daughters (“Toe” and “Kit”), and his precious grandbabies.

Arrangements Entrusted to LIGON & BOBO FUNERAL HOME of Lebanon, TN

Ligon & Bobo Funeral Home, 241 West Main St. Lebanon, TN 37087 (615)444-2142

www.ligonbobo.com

Messages for the Family

  1. Patsy Anderson says:
    I am so sorry I was such a fun guy. Great memories. We will miss him
  2. Judy Jackson Lea says:
    So sorry to hear about Dan. He and Jim Lea had such fun together. I am sure they are already in Heaven planning “Opening Day”. I loved his music, his smile, and the great memories.
  3. Martha Jewell Duff says:
    I have many memories of fun times growing up with Dan. My brothers and I were talking about him this winter as we sorted family pictures. We have wonderful memories of Aunt Ida, Uncle Dan, Burton,Mignon and family. I am very sorry to hear of his passing.
  4. Jackie Ryan Arthur says:
    Dan is the one who gave me the nickname Nannook for which I will be etetnally grateful. NOT! The world won’t be the same place without you and heaven won’t be the same place with you! Rest in peace my friend.
  5. L. K. Lannom says:
    One of my best friends in high school. I will always remember “cruising” around Lebanon with Dan, hunting and fishing and working with him at John Hatcher’s Clothing .
  6. Steve Quarles says:
    Dan was a good friend for many years while growing up in Lebanon. I lost track of him in the mid 70s . God Bless him and I hope his family keeps all the wonderful memories.
  7. Lance W. Lord says:
    Farewell my friend, God speed and cheers! Loads of pleasant memories from the early 60s. Dan was the perfect, with the exception of sister Betty, combination of his dad’s musical abilities and his mom’s independent determination. There’s no doubt Dan’s creative spirit lives on in the DNA of his children and their children. I miss Dan but his love for life and his music lives on!
  8. ron hellard says:
    DAN WILSON WAS A WONDERFUL FRIEND TO ME. HE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR MUCH OF MY SUCCESS AS A WRITER. i AM SO SORRY i WAS NOT IN TOWN FOR HIS CELEBRATION OF LIFE. MY CONDOLENCES TO ALL HIS FAMILY
  9. Anne Smith Soileau says:
    How sad. The Smith kids and Dan and the Harding boys (Beatle and Henry) were at constant war throughout our childhood. There were snowball fights and line drives and BB guns. And then we would all go to the First Methodist Church together. It was an idyllic time and childhood. I remember Dan fondly and send my sincere sympathy to his family.