Hugh Wilson Ching Tang 1961

Hugh Hamilton Wilson Jr. 74, died Sunday January 14^th, 2018 at his home in Charlottesville VA, after a long battle with cancer.

Hugh was born August 24^th 1943 in Miami FL., to the late Hugh Hamilton Wilson and Frances Xavier Nugent Wilson. He grew up in the Shenandoah section of Miami where he attended Coral Way Elementary. He was active in the Boys Club, and little league sports. His family then moved to Coral Gables where he attended Ponce de Leon Jr. High, and Coral Gables Sr. High schools. At Gables High he was a member of Ching Tang fraternity, and began his career in entertainment by writing several skits for the fraternity to perform in the annual school Cavalette Musical.

After high school graduation in 1961, Hugh attended the University of Florida, where he was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity, and was fraternity President his Sr. Year. He continued his entertainment carrier by writing skits for the Phi Delt’s to perform in the annual University Gator Growl. He graduated in 1965 with a degree in Journalism and was a member of the Blue Key Society. In 1982, Hugh received the school's Distinguished Alumnus award.

After graduation from the University of Florida, Hugh went to work for Armstrong World Industries' in-house advertising department in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where he would stage shows for salesmen that sold ads for flooring products to network TV shows. In 1966 Hugh went to work for Burton-Campbell Advertising in Atlanta where he wrote copy for, and directed Radio and TV commercials. He became Creative Director in 1970, and President of the company in 1973.

In 1975 two friends from his days at Burton-Campbell, Tom Patchett and Jay Tarses who were now producers of the Bob Newhart Show, convinced Hugh to move to LA and helped him get a job with Mary Tyler Moore Productions. In 1976 Patchet, Tarses along with Grant Tinker gave Hugh his first writing assignment for the Bob Newhart Show, and in 1977 made him co-producer of the Tony Randall Show. In 1978 using his experiences in Radio and TV advertising, Hugh created the hit TV show “WKRP in Cincinnati”. The show would receive 2 Emmy nominations for Best TV Comedy. In 1987 Hugh created the TV show “Franks Place” for which he received an Emmy for writing, and in 1979 he created the show “The Famous Teddy Z”.

Hugh’s carrier as a Movie Director began in 1984 when he was given a script to re-write. He thought it was the worst thing he had ever read, but agreed to do it when they told him he could direct it. It was the first “Police Academy” movie. He went on to direct other movies such as “Guarding Tess” (1994), “First Wives Club” (1996), “Blast from the Past” (1999), “Dudley Do-Right” (1999), “and Mickey” (2004). Hugh would do Cameo rolls in his films, and would use the names of friends from High School in his movies.

Hugh and his family moved from Los Angeles to a farm in Virginia in 1992. He taught TV and screen writing at the University of Virginia. Hugh is survived by his wife of 40 years, Charters Smith Wilson; children, Cannon Wilson Sayers (Gary) of Atlanta, Price Wilson White (Kip) of Charlottesville, Va., Margaret Wilson Thomas (Joe) of San Francisco, Hugh Patrick Wilson of Richmond, Va., Caroline Charters Wilson of Los Angeles; and four splendid grandchildren. He also leaves behind his dear friend, Sandra Williams Player of Atlanta. Hugh was raised Roman Catholic and attended the Episcopal Church with his wife and children. He brought his impeccable sense of humor to his scholarly endeavors, which included the history of the Catholic Church and the Italian Renaissance. He was an avid reader and writer, history buff, enthusiastic spectator and sportsman, and lover of life. Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, January 20, 2018 at Christ Episcopal Church, 120 West High Street, Charlottesville, VA 22902.