W. Wilson Lowery Jr., 81, helped upgrade FBI after 9/11 attacks
July 17, 2025
W. Wilson Lowery Jr. of DeBordieu, a former IBM executive who helped improve operations at the FBI in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001, died July 3 at his home after a long battle with cancer. He was 81.
Mr. Lowery served from 2002 to 2004 as executive assistant director under FBI director Robert Mueller to improve the processes for gathering and processing information. Those included finance, human resources, security of bureau assets and computer operations. Before 9/11 the FBI couldn’t transmit photos on its computer network. It took eight to 10 months to hire someone with top secret clearance. When Mr. Lowery stepped down, after spending a year longer at the bureau than he had expected, the FBI had streamlined its hiring to less than 100 days without sacrificing thoroughness and improved its ability to share information about threats.
The work involved 12-hour days, take-out meals and weekend trips home to his wife, Patricia, Mr. Lowery recalled in a 2004 interview. “I thought I worked hard at IBM,” he said. But he said the work helped make the country safer.
“It’s great to help your country,” Mr. Lowery said.
He was born April 3, 1944, the son of Jeanette Lowery and Woodrow Wilson Lowery Wilson. He grew up on the family farm in Trenton, N.C., an upbringing that instilled in him a strong work ethic and deep appreciation for the land and community. Wilson earned his undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, graduating Phi Beta Kappa.
Immediately following his academic career, Mr. Lowery embarked on a nearly 30-year journey with IBM. He lived and worked in various cities throughout the United States, France and Japan. He rose through the ranks, holding senior leadership positions in IBM finance, including CFO of Asia Pacific, vice president of reengineering, and chairman of IBM Credit Corp.
Upon his retirement from IBM, the Lowerys realized a long-held dream, building their home in DeBordieu. In retirement, Mr. Lowery cultivated a passion for woodworking, creating beautiful pieces that now grace the homes of his family and friends.
He dedicated much of his retirement to giving back to the DeBordieu community. He served multiple times on the DeBordieu Colony Community Association board in numerous capacities. His contributions were recently recognized by Habitat for Humanity, with a home erected in Georgetown bearing his name.
In addition to his wife, Patricia B. Lowery, he is survived by their daughter, Laura Lee Arena, and her husband, Jeffrey Arena; their son, Wilson Layne Lowery, and his wife, Elizabeth Lowery; his sisters, Annette Daughety and Janice Hontz; and their cherished grandchildren, Wilson Orion Lowery, Audrey Lee Arena, and Charlotte Patricia Lowery.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Tidelands Community Hospice, Helping Hands of Georgetown, Miss Ruby’s Kids, Habitat for Humanity, or Saint Francis Animal Hospital Georgetown.
Condolences may be sent at mayerfuneralhome.com.
