Mr. Ben Wilson attended Athens City Schools from 1944 to 1951. He was a student at Ingleside Elementary School (1944-1950) and City Park School in 1951 when it opened. He attended high school at McMinn County High School. Mr. Wilson attended East Tennessee State University and the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.
Ben was an active member in clubs and school activities at Athens City Schools. He served on the safety patrol, basketball team, and tennis team on the playground in the summer, was an active member of the Boy Scouts at City Park, and was the 1st Eagle Scout in Prof’s troop. He attended the 1st ever school camp at City Park and remembers the great memories of Prof’s Jack Tales.
He was a classroom teacher and physical education teacher at City Park and a physical education teacher and coach at Athens Junior High School. From 1977 to 1999, he served as Principal at Ingleside Elementary School. He also taught at Tennessee Wesleyan University from 1999 to 2010. Mr. Wilson retired from education in 2010.
Mr. Wilson has been an active member in the community with his passion for helping students and others. He served 25 years as assistant scoutmaster, troop 116, 50 years as a volunteer swim program, 50 years as a boating teacher, 18 years leading tennis tournament for Kiwanis Club, 17 years coordinating United Way Fall Ball Tournament, 12 Years of Meals on Wheels, and 6 years at Nourish One Child.
Ben resides in Athens, Tennessee, with his wife, Cynthia. They have been married for 60 years. They have two children and four grandchildren.
One of Mr. Wilson’s fondest memories of being in the Athens City Schools is having Prof Powers as a teacher, scout leader, and mentor. Mr. Wilson leaves the following advice to current students at Athens City schools. “Read, read, and then read more!”