TUSCALOOSA, AL  |  November 3, 2023 – Today, the Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama honored James “Jim” Winfrey Wilson III for his extraordinary service to the Board of Trustees, the University of Alabama System, and the State of Alabama. The Board of Trustees presented Jim’s daughter, Wesley Clingman, and brother, Will Wilson, with a copy of the below resolution as well as announcing that a plaque honoring Jim will be installed at the southern entrance of Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Resolution

Honoring James “Jim” Winfrey Wilson III

            WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama wishes to honor our late friend and colleague James “Jim” Winfrey Wilson III for his extraordinary service to the Board of Trustees, the University of Alabama System, and the State of Alabama; and

            WHEREAS, born in Montgomery, Alabama, Jim was a proud graduate of the University of Alabama, earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1985, and completed graduate coursework through the Manufacturers Hanover Credit Training Program; and

                   WHEREAS, Jim began his career at Manufacturers Hanover Trust in New York City, working as a commercial real estate loan officer and investment banker in large pool assets; and

            WHEREAS, in 1988, Jim returned to Montgomery to join Jim Wilson & Associates (“JWA”), a real estate and investment firm founded by his father that he and his brother Will grew to become one of the most successful real estate businesses in the Southeast; and

            WHEREAS, JWA developed some of Alabama’s most notable real estate projects – including Redstone Gateway in Huntsville, Riverchase Galleria in Birmingham, and the Shoppes at EastChase in Montgomery – as well as two other prominent Montgomery developments: Wynlakes, a 1,000 acre golf course community, and New Park, a large mixed-use development; and

            WHEREAS, JWA also developed the Shoppes at River Crossing in Macon, Georgia; Edgewater Mall in Biloxi, Mississippi; Carriage Crossing Marketplace in Collierville, Tennessee; Navarre Square in Navarre, Florida; and the Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge; and has invested in properties across the United States and Puerto Rico; and

            WHEREAS, Jim was elected to the Board of Trustees in 2003 and held significant leadership positions in his twenty-year tenure, including serving as Chair of the UAB Health System Authority, the Physical Properties Committee, and the Athletics Committee; and

            WHEREAS, he was an avid golfer and passionate about University of Alabama athletics and sports generally, serving on the Crimson Tide Foundation Board of Directors and the Board of the Bryant-Jordan Student Athlete Program; and

            WHEREAS, he was equally passionate about the UAB Health System and worked to improve healthcare in the State of Alabama by serving on numerous Boards, including the American Liver Foundation of Alabama, the American Sports Medicine Institute, Baptist Hospital, the Montgomery Council on Aging, and the Jackson Hospital Foundation; and

            WHEREAS, he devoted his time and resources to several other civic organizations, including the Business Council of Alabama, the Montgomery Symphony Orchestra, Boy Scouts of America, First Baptist Church Foundation, Montgomery Metro YMCA, and the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama; and

            WHEREAS, he was – above all else – a family man, a devoted husband to Susie, his wife of 35 years, a proud father to two daughters, Lillian and Wesley, and a doting grandfather to five grandchildren, who appropriately nicknamed him “Boom Boom”; and

            WHEREAS, we will miss our dear friend and colleague, whose larger-than-life personality always kept Board of Trustees functions entertaining;

            NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Trustees that it hereby acknowledges Jim Wilson for his service as a Trustee;

            BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a plaque honoring Jim be installed at the southern entrance of Bryant-Denny Stadium that reads as follows:

James “Jim” Winfrey Wilson III

(June 14, 1963 – March 11, 2023)

Jim Wilson’s dynamic leadership on the University of Alabama System Board of Trustees, on which he served from 2003 until his untimely death in 2023, made an indelible impact across the UA System. A native of Montgomery, Jim was passionate about Alabama athletics, improving healthcare in the state, and enhancing education. He used his real estate expertise to transform the southwest corner of The University of Alabama campus, spearheading major renovations to Bryant-Denny Stadium and the construction of a new Julia Tutwiler Hall with a greenspace quad. Jim will forever be remembered for his unrivaled charisma, unequaled humor, and unfettered love for his family, friends, and the University of Alabama System.

            BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Resolution be spread upon the permanent minutes of this Board and that a copy be presented to Jim’s family.