Gene Wilson was a star football player at Fayetteville High School and then went to South Carolina on a football scholarship.  Wilson served as captain of the South Caroolina team and was drafted by the Washington Redskins of the NFL in 1954.  Gene Wilson joined the Toronto Argonauts in 1954 and had an outstanding season.  Wilson rushed for 702 yards with a 6.5 average to finish second in the East in rushing behind Montreal's Alex Webster.  Wilson added 34 catches for another 379 yards, and was fourth in the East in kickoff return yards with 282.  If that wasn't enough, Wilson also played defence where he picked off four enemy passes. That performance earned Wilson an East All-Star at running back in 1954 (there were no CFL All-Stars until 1962), and was also one of the Argo nominees for the Jeff Russell trophy as the most valuable player in the East.  It was a promising career that was cut short by Wilson having to return to the States for two years of military service in 1955 and 1956.  When Wilson returned in 1957, the magic seemed to be gone.  Wilson played just one game for the Argos in 1957 before being releasedand joining the Alouettes for two games, gaining only 60 yards rushing in those three games with two pass receptions. After leaving football, Wilson started his own business and kept active as a marathon runner. Gene Wilson passed away on April 26, 2010.

The followin is the obituary for Gene Wilson.

TEGA CAY, S.C. - James Eugene "Gene" Wilson, 79, passed away at Harris Hospice in Presbyterian Hospital on Monday, April 26, 2010. He was born Nov. 10, 1930, in Barnwell. He graduated in 1950 from Fayetteville High School, where he was a starting member of the N.C. State Championship football team. He was a member of the Monogram Club, Homeroom Chairman and voted Best Sports Person in Fayetteville High School in 1949. He graduated from Fayetteville High School in 1950 and received a football scholarship to the University of South Carolina, where he played right halfback opposite the famed halfback Steve Wadiak in 1950. While at USC, he was captain of the football team, was an All-State fullback and is enshrined in the USC Hall of Captains at Williams Brice Stadium. Gene graduated from USC with a B.A. in business in 1954. He was drafted by the Washington Redskins and played professional football at the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League. He later served two years as a lieutenant in the Air Force stationed in Biloxi, Miss. In 1971, Gene started his own business, Gene Wilson & Associates Inc., which was a distributorship for fastener and packaging systems. He was a successful businessman and loved to travel the Southeast and personally meet all of the people who bought his products. He genuinely cared about his employees, as well as his clients. He was a well-respected man in the business community. Gene remained loyal to the South Carolina Gamecocks, as well as being a season ticket holder for the Carolina Panthers. He was an avid runner, and not so long ago, he would run five miles on the beach in the mornings or up and down the hills of Tega Cay before he went to work. He participated in the Charlotte Observer marathon every January until he was no longer able to run. He was the kindest, most generous man there ever was. He never missed an opportunity to help others in need. His legacy of kindness will live on in all of those who he touched with his generosity. Gene saw the beauty in everything around him. He loved nature and his favorite pastime in his later years was sitting on the balcony of his home at the beach and looking out over the ocean. He loved the beautiful sunrise at the beach most of all. He loved watching the dolphins in the synchronized swim and the seagulls flying above. He is no doubt one of those shining stars now twinkling bright above us all and never letting us forget that he loved us more than life itself. Gene was married to Faye Tipton, his bride of 33 years, and resides in Tega Cay. He was a man of deep faith and a member of Unity Presbyterian Church of Fort Mill and was a devoted husband and a loving father to his three children, who made him so proud. There is no question he knew how deeply loved he was. Gene leaves behind his wife, Faye; daughters, Tina Wilson Bobrowski and husband Robert Bobrowski, and Pamela Wilson Fisher and husband Dr. David Fisher, all of Charlotte, N.C.; and his son, David Wilson of Pineville, N.C. In addition, he leaves behind his grandchildren, Lauren Bobrowski Neuhaus and husband Scott of Fort Mill, and Mia Bobrowski, Luke Bobrowski, Adam Fisher, Ben Fisher, Alex Fisher and Monica Wilson, all of Charlotte. A man of many fortunes, he also had the blessing of five great-grandchildren, Tori Bobrowski, Nate and Mia Neuhaus, Olivia Neuhaus and Brent Neuhaus. He was predeceased by his parents, Lee Wilson and Sadie Moody Wilson. He also was predeceased by his brother, Leroy Wilson; and his sister, Grace Graves. He leaves behind his other sisters, Inez Meng and Margaret Leaphart of Columbia, and Frances Zeigler of Chapin, as well as a brother, McLaurin Wilson of Columbia. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, April 30, 2010, in Unity Presbyterian Church at 303 Tom Hall St., Fort Mill. Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 29, at Palmetto Funeral Home, 2049 Carolina Place Drive, Fort Mill. Memorials may be made to Unity Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 1267, Fort Mill, SC 29716, or Presbyterian Hospice and Palliative Care, c/o Harris Hospice Unit, P.O. Box 33549, Charlotte, NC 28233 for the loving and compassionate care that was shown to our father in his final days. We will never forget your many kindnesses. Palmetto Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Fort Mill is serving the family of Mr. Wilson.

Wilson Released By Argos But Heading Off to Military Service - December 14, 1954

Wilson Rejoins Argos - August 14, 1957

Wilson to get First Start of Year - September 6, 1957

Wilson in line-up for Alouettes - September 26, 1957