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LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – It was on this date in 2016 when long time friend of WLAF, Vaughn “Digger” Wilson passed away. Today, WLAF republishes the story that ran a couple of days later.
Well. I can tell you right now that Vaughn “Digger” Wilson probably would not like the fact that we’re doing a story on him today. He always wanted to be in the background; especially when he was doing something good for someone. We’ll never know all the wonderful gestures of kindness “Digger” Wilson extended during his lifetime. And if we shared just one of those here, he definitely would not have liked that. The man who owned and operated Wilson Gas left us last night around 7-PM. He’d been battling illness for sometime, and hung in there, but this latest bout was just too much.
Ronnie Sharp (or ronnie as he prefers), of Circle R Metals, tells us that Digger’s dedication to the Shriners stands out among his thoughts of Wilson. As a child, Wilson injured his arm and nearly lost it. In fact, he once said that if a local doctor had had his way, he would’ve amputated that arm. Luckily for Wilson, his father would not hear of it, and took Digger to a hospital in Cincinnati where his arm was saved. That trip was sponsored by the Shriners Club. Wilson spent the rest of his life repaying that debt. In fact, he was a Shriner for more than 50-years.
For me, Digger was one of those people who just made you feel better about yourself. A visit to Wilson Gas was always a treat and sure to feature many good laughs. I always say that the dock where Digger would handle tank after tank of propane was not a dock but a stage. He would stand on that stage, as you looked up at him, and put on quite a show through words and waving of arms. Two arms. Thanks to the Shriners.
And about that nickname. Sharp says that Vaughn became ‘Digger’ after the old radio show ‘The Life of Riley’ and the character, Digger O’Dell, the local undertaker whose parting line was “I guess I best be shoveling off.” All the Wilson boys had nicknames. Shug, Deb, June, Digger, Buster are a few that ronnie can remember. There were eighteen siblings total.
Digger has shoveled off, but will not be soon forgotten. (WLAF NEWS RE-PUBLISHED – 02/15/2023-6AM)
Digger Wilson was a great American and a great citizen of LaFollette who cared much about his community and his fellow man. He did so much for his city and its people. We miss this super entertaining character.
Good memory of a bad event. Digger was a “good’n”.
What a beautiful tribute! Vaughn was my husband Stanley’s uncle.
Did he have a twin name Don?
No, I think that was Gene. You would think Don went with Vaughn, but not so.