Talladega County, AL, USA —
The body of an 80-year-old man was pulled from Logan Martin Lake in Talladega County Wednesday morning following a multi-agency search and rescue operation.
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Multiple dive teams and emergency crews responded, including the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, the Talladega County Sheriff’s Office, Childersburg Rescue and Pell City Emergency Rescue Squad.
The Talladega County Coroner identified the victim as 80-year-old Houston Wilson.
According to the coroner, Wilson was standing on the back of the boat holding onto the dock when the incident happened. Wilson had hit his head on the dock when he went into the water. The coroner believes that it was likely a health event that made him fall.
Wilson’s church small group leader, Randy Benefield, said Wilson was fishing with his brother late last night. Wilson’s brother got in the truck to back the boat into the water, but when he returned, Wilson was gone.
Benefield mentioned that Wilson has had several mini strokes recently.
“He was just one of the strongest men I ever met in my life,” Benefield said. “Strong in his faith, strong in his work, strong in his morals and ethics. Just a wonderful, wonderful man.”
Benefield said Wilson loved showing friends his photos of the crappie he caught. His boat and fish were recovered after the search.
“Ain’t no doubt he’s with Jesus right now in that big crappie hole in the sky. No doubt about that,” he said.
Friends of Houston Wilson
The coroner said no autopsy is expected.
This is a developing story and will be updated as information becomes available. Stay updated on the latest stories with the WVTM 13 app. You can download it here.