Renaming the1500 block of South 17th Street "C.V. Wilson Sr., Way", in honor of Deacon C.V. Wilson Sr., for his extraordinary leadership, entrepreneurship, and unwavering commitment to his Church and community.

WHEREAS, Deacon C.V. Wilson Sr., was born in a devout Christian home in Philadelphia to Paul and Susie Wilson, where the foundation of his faith and character was established; and

WHEREAS, His spiritual journey began as a child at Mt. Hebron Baptist Church and he remains a dedicated member of that parish; and

WHEREAS, Deacon Wilson began working at a young age to support his family, earning $5 a week and a bag of rotten produce at Nick Mauro’s grocery store at the corner of Bancroft and Wharton Streets, of which he gave $3 and the produce to his mother, keeping $2 for himself; and

WHEREAS, To this day, Deacon Wilson, lives in South Philadelphia, just three blocks from where he was born; and

WHEREAS, A man of profound faith and commitment, Deacon Wilson has been a powerful influence on his community, often telling children that if they can get up to go to school every day, then they can get up and go to Church on Sunday; and

WHEREAS, Deacon Wilson’s devotion to the Church is unwavering, having served in numerous ministries including Prayer Band, Baptist Training Union (BTU), Jones Halleluiah Chorus, missionaries, and the Deacon’s Ministry; and

WHEREAS, Deacon Wilson showed exceptional leadership while serving as Chairman of the Deacon’s Ministry, ensuring a minister was in the pulpit for 312 weeks when Mt. Hebron Baptist Church was without a pastor; and

WHEREAS, Deacon Wilson’s entrepreneurial spirit has greatly affected South Philadelphia: After marrying the late Louise J. Wilson in 1964, he opened his first business, J&W Variety Store, in 1965 with his brother-in-law at the corner of Tasker and Dorrance Streets, and later founded CV Wilson & Son Wholesalers in 1973, followed by Vonni, Vel, and C.V.’s Variety Store in 1985, located on the southwest corner of the same block; and

WHEREAS, After three generations of his family attended the former GW Childs Elementary School, Deacon Wilson became president of the PTA, and frequently gave savings bonds to students for academic accomplishments; and

WHEREAS, In 1984, Deacon Wilson became a partner in Don Pepe Potato Chip Company, later founding Georgie Woods Potato Chip Company in 1986, followed by Big Whip Chip in 1989, operating at the northwest corner of the same block as his previous businesses; and

WHEREAS, As a dedicated member of his community, Deacon Wilson would open his wholesale store on Sundays for two hours before church, ensuring his customers had the supplies they needed to open their businesses after the Saturday night rush; and

WHEREAS, Deacon C.V. Wilson Sr., exemplifies the values of leadership, dedication, and service as a role model and business owner in his community, having opened eight businesses and owned eight different properties; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby renames the 1500 block of South 17th Street “C.V. Wilson Sr., Way”, in honor of Deacon C.V. Wilson Sr., for his extraordinary leadership and unwavering commitment to his Church and community.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this Resolution be presented to Deacon C.V. Wilson as a token of the sincere admiration of this legislative body.

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