ATHENS –– Jeffery Thad Wilson passed away on March 9, 2025. He was preceded in death by his father, Marion Curtis Wilson, and his mother, Bernice Sylvia (Kaptur) Wilson. He is survived by his wife, Janice Wilson, his brother, Kenneth Wilson, his son Michael Wilson, and his daughter Molly Kinney. He was blessed with four grandchildren, Isla and Wesley Kinney, and Kenna and Benjamin Wilson.
Jeff grew up in Hammond, Indiana. He graduated from Indiana University in 1966. After college he was drafted into the U.S. Army and served in Vietnam from 1967 to 1968. Upon returning to the States, he joined Del Monte Corporation in San Francisco, California, while concurrently obtaining his MBA degree from Golden Gate University. He met his wife Janice in San Francisco, and they subsequently married in 1972.
Jeff’s interest in food manufacturing led to numerous management positions in a variety of locales. These included stints in the Philippines, responsibility for Del Monte’s European and African manufacturing operations, as well as positions in the Midwest and Florida.
After 20 years with Del Monte, Jeff spent the next 10 years with two other large food companies; Nabisco and ConAgra. He changed course in 2001 when he began teaching Management at Ohio University’s Business School. After nearly five years of teaching, he once again had the itch to manage food operations. This led to his being hired by Bellisio Foods Inc. as Senior Vice President of Operations, where he eventually became a partner in the company. Jeff retired from Bellisio at the age of 70 in 2014.
Services will be held at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are with Jagers & Sons Funeral Home, Athens. Please share a memory, a note of condolence or sign the online register at www.jagersfuneralhome.com.
