Eugene Murphey Wilson

Eugene Murphey Wilson On Tuesday, May 5, 2020, Eugene Murphey Wilson (Ph.D.), loving husband and father of 3 children, passed away surrounded by his family at his long time home in Fairhope, at the age of 88. Gene was born on August 27, 1931 in Augusta, GA to Charles Clinton and Virginia Murphey Wilson. He completed his masters and doctoral work at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. He taught Geography and Earth Sciences at the University of Alabama (1963-69), and following the completion of his doctorate in 1969, Dr. Wilson joined the faculty of the University of South Alabama where he retired 27 years later as Emeritus Professor of Geography in 1996. He has authored and coauthored several books, monographs and hundreds of papers during his professional career and is cited in dozens of publications. His research interests began in the American South studying and photographing folk houses in Alabama. Captivated by the Mobile River delta and coastal morphology, he enthusiastically participated in the continuing search for Mabila, where the decisive battle between the Spanish army of Hernando de Soto and the force of Indian warriors, led by Chieftain Tascalusa, took place. The time between these two research focal points in his career was filled with his passion for the cultural geography of Latin America, which he pursued for 40 years. In November of 1955, he married Käthe Graichen. They raised 2 daughters, Lillian and Katharina, and a son, Clinton. Gene was preceded in death by his father, Charles, and his mother, Virginia. He is survived by his wife Käthe, his 3 children, Lillian, Katharina, and Clinton, 5 grandchildren, and 1 great grandchild. A private family funeral service will be held at Wolfe-Bayview Chapel in Fairhope. A memorial service is planned at a future date at the Alabama State Veterans Memorial Cemetery. ARRANGEMENTS BY WOLFE-BAYVIEW FUNERAL HOMES & CREMATORY, INC. 19698 GREENO RD FAIRHOPE, AL 36532 (251) 990-7775