Jim Boswell

James Marshall "Jim" Boswell, of Wilson, was born in Wilson February 2, 1919, and passed away at the NC State Veterans Home in Kernersville on December 2, 2024 at the age of 105.

A celebration of life will be Friday, December 6, 2:00 PM, at First Christian Church, with visitation one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow at Maplewood Cemetery. 

He was the son of James Rickey Boswell and Della McKeel Boswell and was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, George, Delmar ("Duke"), and Harvey; a half-brother, Floyd; and his high school sweetheart and beloved wife of 77 years, Alma Mozelle Woodall Boswell. 

He is survived by a son, Rev. James M. Boswell, Jr. (Elke) of Normal, IL; and a daughter, Debby Boswell Keller (Bobby) of Winston-Salem. He is also survived by seven nephews and one niece, their children and grandchildren.

Boswell was employed by the FBI in Washington, DC, but when World War II broke out, he volunteered for pilot training with the Army Air Corps. After graduation he flew 51 Flying Fortress combat missions into eight European countries.

Upon returning home to Wilson, he co-managed a grocery store on Herring Avenue, after which he worked in sales and management at Murphy Body Distributors and later Simpson Equipment Corporation until retirement.

Boswell served in the Air Force Reserves, retiring with the rank of Major. He was a Master Mason for 70 years and a Sudan Shriner for 61 years. He and Mozelle were active, much-loved members of First Christian Church for over 60 years. At the time of his death, he was an Elder Emeritus.

James enjoyed spending time with family and friends at the summer home he built on the Pamlico River near Bath. He was an avid reader and until recently cultivated a vegetable garden every year. He valued his family and friends and enjoyed conversations with them. He regularly called church friends to extend birthday greetings. He loved this country and often prayed for wisdom for its leaders. He believed in a strong work ethic and treated everyone with fairness and respect. He was dearly loved and admired.

His children send heartfelt thanks to the many friends, neighbors, and church family for the loving kindnesses that they have shown him over the years. A special thank you to Gilda, Jeanette, and Charmaine. Our sincere appreciation also goes to the staff at NC Veterans Home in Kernersville.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to First Christian Church, PO Box 2702, Wilson NC 27894; Shriners Children's Hospital, 950 West Faris Rd, Greenville SC 29605; Masonic Home for Children, 600 College St, Oxford NC 27565; or the charity of your choice.

Arrangements by Wilson Memorial Service, 2811 Fieldstream Dr. N, Wilson, (252) 237-7171; www.wilsonmemorialservice.com