Joseph Wilson Westbury Jr., 86, of Maggie Valley, North Carolina and Harleyville, South Carolina, passed away on Saturday, April 4, 2026, at his home in Maggie Valley.

Wilson was born in Harleyville, S.C., a son of Margaritha Rosebrock Westbury and Joseph Wilson Westbury, Sr. He graduated from Harleyville-Ridgeville High School in 1957, and Newberry College in 1962. Wilson then joined the Marine Corps and graduated from Officer’s Candidate School in Quantico, Virginia as a second Lieutenant. He served in Quantico and Camp Lejeune, N.C. He left the Marines in 1965 to enter in private business with his family.

Wilson was an avid pilot who taught many to fly, scared many to death with his loops, flips, and upside-down flying maneuvers. He occasionally flew a US Senator to a rally or speaking engagements in his private plane. Wilson loved his farm and his dogs, as well as the Appalachian Mountains where he had a second home after retirement.

He survived by his wife of 65 years, Marian Cynthia Coker Westbury; a daughter, Kimberly Westbury Henderson (Michael) and her daughter, Caroline Marjorie Simmons (Justin) and Michael’s children, Monica and Shawn; a son, Joseph Wilson Westbury III (Paige Purvis Westbury) and their children: Joseph, Chelsea, and Ritch. In addition, two great-grandchildren, Anniston and Presley, and step-grandchildren, Carson and Parker. A brother, Richard Ernest Westbury (Bonnie), and their children, Richard (Sheila) and Sandy Lawley (Stanley); a brother-in-law, Vernon Boland; a nephew, Keith; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sister, Erna Elizabeth Boland (Vernon); and a nephew, Chris.

A Celebration of Life is planned for May 2, 2026, at The Gatherings at Dorchester, 507 Limestone Rd., Dorchester, S.C., 29437, with the service beginning at 5:30 PM.

The care of Mr. Westbury has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Home of Waynesville.