Remembering Louisville business icon Charlie Wilson

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) – A trailblazer in the Louisville-area’s most popular department store, He died on July 19 at the age of 96.

It’s hard to find anyone who has anything but good things to say about Charlie Wilson.

“Charlie Wilson was an extraordinary man,” said friend David Grants. “Charlie will be missed.”

Wilson launched the storefront in 1953. It was the nice cars and the fancy clothes that got him into business, but it was the people that kept him there.

He was a veteran of World War II serving in the US Navy.

After the couple moved, the store landed on Market Street in downtown Louisville before moving to Clarksville.

From the first commercially available TV sets, to the invention of the microwave oven, Wilson has seen it all.

Some people will tell you that DirecTV introduced satellite TV to the Midwest when he visited the store in 1993.

Friends and family said he was always loyal to himself and his community.

“If that particular sale didn’t bring in a dollar, it wasn’t a big deal to him, because he knew the benefit of the charitable work he was doing in our community,” Grantz said.

Wilson’s son David calls his father’s approach to business “The Charlie Wilson Experience”: Treat people like family or friends, take an interest in them and build relationships.

David said Tuesday, “While there is one little man on earth, we are comforted to know there is another in heaven…I love my dad and will always miss him so much!”

“The Charlie Wilson Experience” will not soon be forgotten by those who knew Wilson personally and professionally.

WAVE Listens Live host John Ramsey, who has worked with and around Wilson for years, said: “I hope there are more like Charlie Wilson, because the business will never go out of style. It’s in our DNA. [to] Know accuracy, and Charlie was as accurate as they come.

Wilson is survived by his three children Krystal McCulloch, Steve Wilson (Diane) and David Wilson (Debbie), seven grandchildren Michelle Kepley (Bruce), Michael McCulloch (Amy), Amanda McMonigle (Justin), Adrian Champin (Leon). , Isaiah Wilson, Hannah Creek (Anthony), Leah Reinbolt (Derek) and ten great-grandchildren. Charlie was preceded in death by his devoted wife of 67 years, Wilma Wilson.

Below is David Wilson’s full statement to WAVE News.

“I’m my dad, to sum it up a little bit. . . . It was somewhat of a reflection of the church that ‘comforts the disturbed but disturbs the restless.'” In 1984, when he and I met with some furniture executives at Greenleaf Resort in Florida, I made many good points about our agreements/assumptions, and when we returned to the room I remember saying, “I’m really proud of David.” But he was good at correcting my English if it wasn’t appropriate. Comfort/anxiety. Whether it’s family, employees, or someone who wants you to be the best. One of the visitors on the tour yesterday said he remembers Dad sitting in his chair looking at the newspaper. He was, but all the while he was listening to what was being said and he said he would remember it if he felt led to intercede. And he commented on the conversation that was going on. He was amazed at what they were saying. He loved people and loved meeting them and knowing about their families: where they lived, where they worked, Their hobbies. ‘Make people feel important because you know what they are!’ I sometimes refer to it as the “Charlie Wilson Experience” to treat people as family/friends, to be interested in them and to build relationships. Even if there is one less person on earth, we are saddened to know that there is one in heaven and we know he is with Jesus. I love my dad and miss him always. !!

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