Elder Leslie Earl "Al" Wilson was born on December 18, 1947, in Reidsville, NC to the union of the late Gordon Wilson and Mother Bettie Mae Cameron Wilson. The second of ten siblings, "Al", as he was affectionately called, gave his heart to God and became a member of Galilee Holiness Church at a young age. He loved God with his whole heart.

"Al" graduated with the Booker T. Washington High School class of 1965. He was a stellar athlete and played football, basketball, and baseball. Having the desire to further his education, he attended North Carolina Central University and pledged Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. While at NCCU he was drafted into the United States Army. He served honorably for 2 years with the Military Police at Fort Bragg in Fayetteville, NC. After returning to NCCU, he graduated with a BS in Accounting in 1972. Thereafter, he began his career at Pennsylvania Power and Light Company in the Accounting Department.

As "Al" grew in God, God grew in him. After completing the required studies of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, he was appointed to serve as a Deacon, then a Pastor, and finally a Presiding Elder. He served as Pastor to the following churches, St. Mark AME Zion Church, Avondale, PA; Poplar Street AME Zion Church, Philadelphia, PA; and St. James AME Zion Church in Allentown, PA where he served faithfully from 2005-2016.

Elder Wilson was a community activist. He served as a member of the Allentown Council of Churches and he was the founder of the United Black Minister Alliance. In his leisure time, you could find him preparing for his next golf game. A sports fan, he loved the Lakers, Yankees, and the Fliers.

On Thursday, October 30, 2025, Elder Leslie Earl Wilson transitioned from this earth to eternal life. He leaves to celebrate his life, his wife, Rev. Jacqueline Pittman Wilson; his sons, Duane Wilson of Memphis, TN and Dedric Wilson (Makita) of Allentown, PA; his daughter, Valencia Wilds (Randy) of Waldorf, MD; his grandchildren, DeShaun and Regan; his sisters, Judy Odds, Jarnice Coffin, Bettie LaVern Wilson all of Reidsville, NC; his brothers, Alvino Wilson (Vanessa Dale) Reidsville, NC; Gordon Wilson, Jr. (Vanessa) of Winston-Salem, NC; Larry Wilson (Sandra) of Milwaukee, WI; Anthony Wilson (Shirley) of Winston-Salem, NC; Sharon J. Wilson, Duluth, GA; hosts of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Funeral services will take place at St. James AME Zion Church, 410 Union Street, Allentown, PA at 10am Saturday, November 15, 2025. Family visitation will take place on this Friday from 5-6:30pm, followed by a service of Reflection and Remembrance from 6:30-8:00pm.

Interment will follow the service in Cedar Hill Memorial Park. Judd Beville Funeral Home is in Allentown, PA is in charge of the arrangements.

Announcement courtesy of McLaurin-Harris