George F. Wilsey, Jr

George F. Wilsey, Jr., a pillar of the St. Petersburg legal and civic community, passed away on June 25, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Florida. He was born on January 27, 1931 in Alexandria, Virginia and over the course of ninety-five remarkable years built a legacy of integrity, service, and leadership.

George’s family relocated to St. Petersburg in the 1940s, where he graduated from St. Petersburg High School in 1948. He continued his academic pursuits at Florida State University, earning his degree in 1953. After college he served in the Army’s 5th CIC Detachment during the Korean Conflict, stationed at a remote outpost in Augsburg, Germany from 1953 to 1955. When he returned home from military service, he married Elizabeth “Libby” Ham, an elementary school teacher he met prior to his deployment through his sister, Jean Moltz, who was her close friend and coworker. He credited his military service with helping him mature into an adult and providing him the opportunity to attend George Washington School of Law in Washington, D.C. on the GI bill, where he found his professional calling, graduating with honors in 1958 and serving as Associate Editor of the Law Review.

George was admitted to both the Virginia and Florida Bar Associations in 1958. After law school he returned to St. Petersburg and was employed by Robert W. Fisher. He quickly established a reputation for integrity, intellect and a commitment to the law. Robert and George became partners establishing the Fisher and Wilsey, P.A. law firm in 1962. Professionally George was a Fellow of the American College of Estate and Trust Counsel, was Florida Bar Board Certified in Wills, Trusts and Estates and was a certified circuit court mediator. He was a long-time contributing author to the Florida Bar litigation practice manuals, was recognized as a Florida Super Lawyer and listed in Best Lawyers in America. George also served on the Board of Directors for Sun Trust Bank, Tampa Bay for 27 years.

George’s professional accomplishments paralleled his deep commitment to community service. He was a Mason and was President and the last surviving charter member of the Sunshine City Kiwanis Club, which was founded in 1959. He also served as President of both the St. Petersburg Bar Association and the St. Petersburg Legal Aid Society, where during his tenure, he was instrumental in securing city funding that provided the organization with its own offices and its first full-time attorney and staff, broadening its impact across the community. His sense of civic duty extended further as a long-time member and past President of the Suncoasters and his involvement with the Festival of States.

Outside of his professional life, George enjoyed time with his family, woodworking, black powder and bow hunting, fishing, boating and weekends at his Inverness lake house. He had a passion for history, especially related to the Civil War and was sought after for speaking engagements, enriching those around him with his knowledge and enthusiasm.

George was predeceased by his parents, George F. Wilsey, Sr. and Margaret McCrae Wilsey and by his beloved wife of 54 years, Elizabeth “Libby” Wilsey in 2010.  He is survived by his loving family, his two sons, David Wilsey, (Lisa) and Steven Wilsey, (Vivian) who followed him into the practice of law and his daughter, Patricia LaVoy, (Forest). His legacy also continues through his grandchildren, Chase Wilsey, Abigail Bahr, Forest, Kirsten and Brooke Lavoy, Clay, Jacob and Grace Wilsey and great-grandchildren, Ben and Ryan Wilsey, Elizabeth and Charles Bahr who will grow up inspired by the example he set.

A memorial service honoring the life and achievements of George F. Wilsey, Jr,, will be held on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Anderson McQueen Funeral Homes, located at 2201 Dr M.L.K. Jr St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33704.

Through his enduring professional achievements, steadfast public service, and devotion to his family, George F. Wilsey, Jr. leaves behind a lasting impact on all who were privileged to know him. He will be remembered with great respect and deep admiration.

George F. Wilsey, Jr. (in his own words): If this is published it will mean I have departed this life. On my 85th birthday I decided that I would compose my own obituary, recalling how hard it was to write an obituary for Libby, my wonderful wife and best friend for fifty four years. I leave behind my children David and his wife Lisa, Patti, and her husband, Forest Lavoy and Steven and his wife, Vivian. They blessed me with eight grandchildren, Chase and Abigail Wilsey, Forest, Kirsten and Brooke Lavoy and Clay, Jacob and Grace Wilsey. They are all great people of who I am very proud.

Although my military service was relatively short it was an experience of great value as I matured into an adult. I would recommend that to young people to try that opportunity for two or three years or more. (I served as an Army CIC agent during the Korean Conflict, at a remote outpost in Augsburg, Germany).

I look back with fond affection of the years with my family. Little things during the school years, David with the Boy Scouts and becoming an Eagle Scout, Patti performing with the FSU circus and Steve wrestling at NEHS and advancing to the state meet are a few of those moments. It has been wonderful to have the chance to watch them succeed in life.

I tried to do my part to contribute to the community and served as President of the St. Petersburg Bar Association, the Suncoasters and the St. Petersburg Legal Aid Society. I am the last of the charter members of the Sunshine City Kiwanis Club, which was organized in 1959 and does wonderful work to benefit children. I did other things, but what I most appreciate is my family and all the people I have known over the years.

Life has been sweet and to paraphrases Emily Dickinson, “That this life will never come again is what makes it so sweet.”