Charles Kemmons Wilson was born to Kemmons Wilson, an insurance man, and Ruby "Doll" Wilson, in Osceola, Arkansas January 5, 1913.

His father died when Kemmons was 9 months old. Shortly thereafter, he and his mother moved to Memphis, Tennessee where his mother raised Kemmons.

Kemmons Wilson founded the Holiday Inn chain of hotels and was married to Dorothy Lee Wilson.

He died February 12, 2003.

Further Information

Half Luck and Half Brains by Kemmons Wilson

Kemmons Wilson's autobiography and the Holiday Inn story.

External Links

The late Kemmons Wilson's personal Page

See also: Conrad Hilton