Mr. J. Tylee Wilson, 86, of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, passed away at his home, surrounded by his loving family, on June 21, 2017.  He was born to Eric and Florence Wilson in Englewood, NJ, on June 18, 1931.  Mr. Wilson graduated from Lafayette College, PA, in 1953, with an A.B. degree in Government while also participating in the ROTC program. Upon completion of college, Mr. Wilson proudly served his country as a First Lieutenant in the United States Army and later in the Army Reserves. Mr. Wilson began his professional career with Scott Paper Company and by 1972 he was Group Vice President for Chesebrough-Pond’s Inc. In 1974, Mr. Wilson’s successful career with R.J. Reynolds Industries, Inc., began when he became the President and CEO of RJR Foods, Inc. During his time at R.J. Reynolds Industries, Mr. Wilson held a variety of executive roles that ultimately led to his rise of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer in 1984. Under Wilson’s leadership, he began to diversify the company into other products that ultimately enabled the merger of Nabisco Brands in 1985. The $4.9 billion dollar merger, the largest non-oil merger in U.S. history, made RJR Nabisco the largest U.S.- based consumer products company. Mr. Wilson retired from RJR Nabisco in 1986 and launched a very successful consulting business J. Tylee Wilson and Associates, where he was able to use his vast business experience and expertise to help companies resolve critical corporate issues. Over Mr. Wilson’s extensive career, he served on many corporate boards such as Avis Rent-A-Car, BellSouth Corporation, Carolina Power & Light, Firestone Tire & Rubber Company, Rockwell International, Wachovia Bank, and many others. Mr. Wilson also held various Trusteeships, Chairmanships and Memberships with organizations and educational institutions throughout the United States. Beyond business, Mr. Wilson had a particular interest in several regional healthcare organizations where he provided time, guidance and financial gifts to ensure patients were provided better services. His generosity allowed Wake Forest Baptist Health, NC, Baptist Medical Beaches, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL and Storm Eye Institute of MUSC, SC achieve such goals. Mr. Wilson also took great pride in establishing the J. Tylee Wilson Chair in Business Ethics at Wake Forest University, NC, to prepare future business leaders with a foundation predicated upon integrity. J. Tylee Wilson is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Patricia Wilson; children, Jeffrey Wilson, Deborah Wilson and Christopher (Kerri) Wilson; grandchildren, Glenn, Christian, Baine, London, Anna Frances, Helen Farrell and Ava Kathryn. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, June 28, 10:30 am at Christ Episcopal Church, 400 San Juan Drive, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Wilson Cancer Care Center via designation Baptist Medical Center Beaches https://foundation.baptistjax.com/givenow are preferred. Please sign the online guestbook at www.pontevedravalley.com.