Oct. 19, 1940 – April 28, 2016

NATCHEZ — Services for Wilson Elmer Banford, 75, of Natchez, who died Thursday, April 28, 2016, at Promise Hospital in Vidalia, will be 11 a.m. Friday at King Solomon Baptist Church with the Rev. Kenneth E. Stanton officiating.

Burial will follow at Sunset View Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of West Gate Funeral Home.

The Wharlest Jackson Elk’s Lodge and the Nu Xi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi fraternity ceremonies will be at 5 p.m. today.

A celebration of life wake service will be at 6 p.m., with visitation to follow.

Visitation will continue from 10 a.m. until service time Friday at the church.

Mr. Banford was born Oct. 19, 1940, in Wilkinson County, the son of George and Lucy Hampton Banford.

He was a graduate of Sadie V. Thompson High School and Jackson State University, where he received a bachelor of science degree, master of education degree and specialist degree.

Wilson taught and served as assistant principal in the Natchez-Adams School District, from which he retired. He was also employed by Armstrong Tire and Rubber Company as a safety engineer.

Wilson was a member of King Solomon Missionary Baptist Church where he worked diligently, a member of Nu Xi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., Jackson State University Alumni Association, Wharlest Jackson Elk’s Lodge and the Krewe of MER.

Survivors include his loving wife, Estelle M. Banford; two daughters, Rhonda Banford of Ridgeland and Carlotta “Cookie” Gray of Natchez; one son, James “Ricky” Gray of Natchez; six grandchildren, Candice Hatcher Bush and husband, Joshua, of Clinton, Alexia Pickett of Ridgeland, Derrick Lyles, Leroy Lyles, Candi Gray, all of Natchez, Kennedy Gray of Potomac, Md., and Travis Gray of Memphis, Tenn.; four special cousins, Dr. Allen Stewart and wife, Tonea, of Montgomery, Ala., Ann Hampton of Chicago, John Stewart of Memphis and Leaman Stewart of Baton Rouge; one goddaughter, Sherika Wright-Jones of Katy, Texas; two sisters-in-law, Eliza Quinn and Viola Bennett of Natchez; one brother-in-law, Charles McQuarters of Algiers, La.; and other relatives and friends.

Pallbearers will be members of Nu Xi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc.

Online condolences may be sent to westgatefh.com.