Eight Bells: Talbot Wilson

Talbot Wilson

Paul Talbot Wilson, 77 years, international journalist and marketing specialist, died of mesothelioma on July 16, 2022.

Born November 23, 1944 in Metairie, LA, Talbot grew up in New Orleans where he spent his teenage years sailing with family and friends, a passion that caught hold of him and drove practically every choice he made.

Talbot attended the University of the South and earned a master’s in English at Auburn University, where he also taught English. At the time, he was married to the late Katherine Lytle Liggett, daughter of the late Southern novelist Andrew Lytle. Soon after the birth of the couple’s second child, they moved to Pensacola, FL where Talbot spent nearly 10 years working at Dodson, Craddock & Born.

In 1978, he married Virginia Mead Wilson and together in the mid-1980s launched Talbot Wilson & Associates which opened doors to a world of adventures in the professional sailing industry, including a number of years living and working in Annapolis, MD.

From there, Talbot was instrumental in promoting major yacht racing events for the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club along with the Marion Bermuda Race, Newport to Bermuda Race, America’s Cup, Admiral’s Cup, Whitbread Round the World Race, and countless more. He was also a partner in J World Annapolis.

In the mid-1990s, Talbot and Virginia moved home to Florida, where Talbot continued as an international journalist for the sailing and racing industry, and increasingly focused on projects at home and for Pensacola Yacht Club.

Talbot also had a passion for skiing and spent decades chasing powder in Colorado, where he had a second home with Virginia. Talbot also loved Labrador retrievers, and partway through life, this hobby took hold, launching him and his many adoring Labradors in dog show arenas.

Talbot is survived by his wife, Virginia; son John Wilson and spouse Raquel Wilson; daughter Katie Roberts and spouse John Roberts; and grandchildren George Roberts, Mary Roberts, Ruby Wilson, Miles Wilson and Lamar Wilson.

A memorial service will be held at Christ Episcopal Church in Pensacola on July 26 at 10:00 am. A grave-site committal service will take place 11:30 am on July 28 at Metairie Cemetery (5100 Pontchartrain Blvd., Section 180, Lot 14) in New Orleans, where Talbot’s ashes will be interred alongside generations of his New Orleans family.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Pensacola Yacht Club’s Junior Sailing Program at 1897 Cypress St, Pensacola, FL 32502 or Canine Companions Southeast Region at 8150 Clarcona Ocoee Rd., Orlando, FL 32818 (https://p2p.onecause.com/tributegift/donate)