Talbot Wilson, 77, of Pensacola passed away on Saturday, July 16, 2022.

Born November 23, 1944, to Margaret Talbot Wilson and John Wadsworth Wilson in Metairie, LA, Paul Talbot Wilson grew up in New Orleans, where he attended Metairie Park Country Day School. There, in New Orleans, he spent his teenage years sailing with family and friends, a passion that caught hold of Talbot and drove practically every choice he made, whether tied to the places he lived, the people with whom he connected, and the career he both courageously pursued and creatively carved out for himself, successfully writing for, and marketing all things sailing.

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, born in Sicily, and raised in Lakeland, FL. Virginia became his lifelong partner in love, family, sailing, career and membership at the Pensacola Yacht Club (PYC) - Talbot's "home away from home." With Virginia, the wind behind his sails, Talbot took a leap in the mid-1980s and launched his own firm, Talbot Wilson & Associates. This new venture 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 - a very accomplished, gifted sailor - was instrumental in promoting major yacht racing events for the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club, The Marion Bermuda Race, The Newport to Bermuda Race, The America's Cup, The Admiral's Cup, The Whitbread Round the World Race, The Columbus Cup and countless more. A lifetime member of the U.S. Sailing President's Club, Talbot was also a partner in J World Annapolis. Every effort he pursued with his heart, not for his wallet. He never tooted his horn, nor bragged about his accomplishments - it was always a matter of "What's next?"

In the mid-1990s, Talbot and Virginia moved home to Florida, where Talbot continued as an international journalist for the sailing and racing industry. While lifting up and connecting that community through his words, sailing expertise, insights, enthusiasm and dreams, he increasingly focused on projects at home and for PYC, namely building up international youth sailing programs, supporting nonprofit work with the Satori Foundation, and finding ways to put and keep PYC on the map - a mark he set and met.

Talbot also had a passion for skiing and spent decades chasing powder in Colorado, where he had a second home with Virginia. His two children, John Darwin Wilson and Katherine (Katie) Talbot Wilson Roberts loved him very much. Both grew up sailing and have in their own ways honored Talbot's adventuresome spirit in the choices they've made and the lives they lead.

Talbot loved Labrador retrievers. Partway through life, this hobby took hold, launching him and his many adoring Labradors in dog show arenas. He and Virginia raised and showed multiple Grand Champions, making friends wherever they travelled.

Talbot is survived by his wife, Virginia; son, John Wilson and spouse Raquel Wilson; daughter, Katie Roberts and spouse John Roberts; grandchildren, George Roberts, Mary Roberts, Ruby Wilson, Miles Wilson and Lamar Wilson. He also leaves three happy Labradors, Star, Baldur and Bess - to comfort all those he loved.

A Memorial Service will be held 10:00 am, Tuesday, July 26, 2022, at Christ Episcopal Church in Pensacola. A grave-site committal service will take place 11:30 am, July 28, 2022, 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 the 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).