Dr. Wilson Epinol “WEGO” Gosier Passes Away

November 13, 1941 – May 11, 2023 (age 81)

On November 13, 1941, a personality larger than life arrived in South Ga. Walter and Rosa Gosier delighted in the arrival of their only son and named him Wilson Gosier. A proud native of Quitman, Georgia: Dixie and Dry Lake Road, respectively. Wilson was educated in the public schools of Brooks County. Wilson was identified early as a gifted student and accelerated through advanced classes, graduating at 16. Although undersized at 5’ 7”, he was a two-sport athlete playing basketball and baseball.

His matriculation continued at Fort Valley State College (FVSC). Wilson obtained the highest score to that date on the entrance math exam and excelled as a Dean’s List student. His excellent score and recommendations from his advisors motivated him to change his major from Agriculture to Education with a concentration in Math. During his sophomore year at Fort Valley State College, he and his college sweetheart Doris Marshall began distinguishing themselves from the ordinary. Although he entered Fort Valley at 16, standing 5’ 7”, by his junior year, he was 6’ 3” tall and lettered in basketball, football, and baseball. This was also the beginning of his long-tenured officiating career, starting with intramural basketball, football, and baseball.

Wilson was born with confidence and charisma. He knew he wanted to be a trailblazer. Wilson also knew trailblazers had middle initials and middle names. He chose “Epinol” as his middle name, which proved unique while aligning with the confidence and charisma he exuded. The man, the myth, and the legend, Wilson Epinol Gosier, emerged. As an undergrad, Wilson pledged to Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. After a well-coordinated courtship, Wilson and Doris married shortly after receiving their degrees from FVSC in 1963. No one had to impress upon Wilson the light in the Valley. Unknown to many outsiders, Fort Valley is a special place. A magical place. A place where upon leaving, you click your heels three times to herald your return.

For this reason, they made Fort Valley, GA, their home. Wilson and Doris left an indelible mark on the Fort Valley Community. In Divine 9 spirit, they collaborated with like-minded influential Black couples. They applied for and were awarded segregation monies from the United States Government. Wilson was appointed administrator of funding. In a bold move, he spearheaded securing land to build a swimming pool and baseball field exclusively for Blacks in the Jim Crow era, Fort Valley, GA. Wilson selected Bobby Thompson, an FVSC alumnus, to manage the pool. The pool was built on Historic and segregated H. E. Hunt High grounds, and the aquatic facility was nicknamed “Thomp Pool.” Wilson and Doris took great pride in this accomplishment, along with their friends Pete and Priscilla Mangrum. Years later, they became parents of two wonderful children, Wilson “Woody” Epinol and Marsha Nichole Gosier.

Wilson began his long educational career, demonstrating his multi-talents and skills. Wilson’s first job was as a mathematics/physical education teacher, head football and basketball coach, and assistant principal, in the Macon County School system at D. F. Douglas High School in Montezuma, GA. According to Mr. Billy Sellers, Mr. Gosier was a freedom fighter who walked it like he talked it and refused to bow down to the systems and traditions of Jim Crow in the American South.

In July 1969, Wilson began his initial tenure at Fort Valley State College as Associate Dean of Men. His versatility and familiarity with students and staff personnel permitted him to serve as an adjunct professor and Coach of the college’s Jr-Varsity Basketball team. At age 27, he was reported as the youngest dean in the country at that time. In 1971 Wilson obtained his Master’s Degree in Education from FVSC. He held advanced studies as a Ph.D. Candidate at Georgia State University 1976-1978. He was awarded the L.L.D. from Faith College in Birmingham, AL.

While Wilson and Doris divorced, they remained friends, and he never divorced Woody and Marsha. In 1978 Wilson took his talents to the Georgia Department of Education as Coordinator of Teacher Education and Executive Secretary of The Georgia Teacher Education Council. In this capacity, Wilson’s duties and responsibilities were extensive, comprehensive, and state-wide. This position included coordinating curriculum activities between the Georgia Department of Education (GDE) and thirty-four (34) colleges and universities offering teacher education programs. Within this realm of activities, he was responsible for monitoring teacher education programs, supervising student-teacher programs, budgeting functions, and implementing two annual conferences of the council.

Wilson met his second wife, Celeste Reeves Gosier of Chattanooga, TN. Celeste loved and doted on Wilson’s children from his union with Doris and welcomed his daughter Katrina Haugabook Hood. Celeste and Wilson divorced in 2014 after 30 years of marriage.

From 1980 to retirement in 1996, Wilson served as the Assistant Director of the Professional Practices Commission, State of Georgia. In this challenging position, Wilson investigated more than 700 complaints and prepared detailed reports of alleged misconduct by professional educators. As an expert wittiness, Wilson’s services were still sought to conduct investigations and hearings concerning fellow educators, as evidenced by his appointment to the Ethics board of the Dekalb County Board of Education. Wilson served in this capacity until he transitioned into the spiritual realm.

Concurrently with his long tenure as an educational leader, Wilson became an internationally acclaimed multi-sports game official.

Wilson began his journey as a game official at Fort Valley State College within the intramural sports program under Coach Hawkins. He was a natural as a game official in high school sports commencing in 1963 with basketball, baseball, and football. His presence, willingness, and competence led him to the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC), including the famed SIAC Basketball Tournament on the Tuskegee Institute, Tuskegee, Alabama, campus. He was inducted into the SIAC Hall of Fame in 1995. The next level of competition was the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). In basketball and football, a 1963 Fort Valley State graduate was featured as a game official in many nationally televised events in venerable stadiums and arenas.

Wilson was the NCAA Basketball Official of the Year in 1984. He shared accolades that year with Athlete of the Year, Michael Jordan, and Commentator of the Year, Dick Vitale.

Wilson served as the game official in multiple basketball tournaments, high schools, colleges, and universities, such as ‘Metro Conference,’ and National Invitation Tournament (NIT).

Dr. Wilson Epinol “WEGO” officiated in more than 1500 Professional, Intercollegiate, High School, Little League, and Intramural Basketball and Football Venues, national coast to coast and internationally. His Professional Football affiliations include the NFL (retired), NBA, and WFL. Professional Basketball NBA and AABA. His Intercollegiate affiliations include Conferences, SEC, SIAC, SUN BELT, METRO, SICOA, BIG EAST, SOUTH ATLANTIC, and BLACK COLLEGE WOMEN’S. In addition, he officiated in three Intercollegiate Bowl Games, CITRUS, HALL of FAME, and COCA-COLA (Tokyo, Japan). High School GHSA.

Dr. Wilson Epinol Gosier was amongst the first group of minority NFL Officials after segregation in the American South and possibly the only man in America to officiate professionally for the NCAA NFL, WFL, NBA, and AABA. Wilson was a Line Judge for the NFL and officiated the 1983 NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame game. Before Colin Kaepernick, there was Wilson Gosier. The league office didn’t take kindly to Wilson’s fortitude. This was noted in Fred Wyant’s book “Offsides.” Fred believed Wilson Gosier to be the Line Judge he’d personally select to go into battle with. While the league office took offense to Wilson’s charges of racial discrimination in the 1980s, today, Wilson is considered an innovator within the NFL Retired Officials Association.

He was the Founder and Director of WEGO Golf Classic, a two-day tournament held the 4th week in June for 29 years, 1978 – 2007. More than 70 golfers participated in the annual event. Proceeds from the tournament were donated to Fort Valley State University’s Athletic Scholarship. WEGO is active in the NFL Retired Officials Association. In 2014 he was appointed by Georgia Governor Nathan Deal as an Authority Member of the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame Authority where he served as Secretary and is currently the 2023 Vice Chair of The Georgia Sports Hall of Fame Authority.

All loved Wilson. To know him was to love him. He was a Man’s MAN, A caring father, an influencer, a world traveler, and an avid golfer. Without question, the ladies loved Big Poppa, and Big Poppa was quite fond of the ladies. He loved and cherished his family, making him the favorite uncle to his nieces and nephews. He remains “Uncle Wilson” to his nieces and nephews from both marriages.

On October 20, 2022, Wilson received the greatest heartbreak of his life, the transitioning of his namesake and best friend, Wilson “Woody” Epinol Gosier II, who preceded him in death. Wilson never recovered from this loss.

Wilson leaves behind a loving and fiercely devoted daughter from his first marriage: Marsha Nichole Gosier, Fort Valley, GA, the apple of his eye. Two beautiful daughters, Katrina Haugabook Hood (William) of Stockbridge, GA, whom he loved and cherished, and Chevon Fisher Carter (Louisville, KY), time simply was not on their side. One son-in-law “Hood” who he loved. Four intelligent and handsome grandsons: Cairo Sirod Jackson, William Gosier Hood, Garrison Patton Gosier, and Gavin Marshall Gosier. Whom he nicknamed Ace, Duece , Tre and Quarto. He and Cairo shared a special bond as his first Grandson, with whom they share birthdays. Wilson was proud of his remaining nieces: Sandra, Beverly, and Anita; his nephew Walter from his sisters and Emma Gosier Shelton and Stella Gosier Horne, who preceded him in death. An uncle, son, and brother relationship with his nephew Derek Horne.

We thank God for sharing the essence and presence of a spirit that will live forever: Dr. Wilson Epinol Gosier.