Wilson "Leo" Barnes

Wilson Leo Barnes

Wilson Leo Barnes, 91, of Augusta, GA, passed away peacefully on August 1, 2026, with his family by his side.

Leo was born in Lee County, South Carolina. He was the eldest child and only son of the late Eldridge Leo and Iona Blanche (Scarborough) Barnes. He graduated from Sumter High School in 1952.

Ever curious and eager to learn, he left Sumter after graduation and specialized in Mass Spectrometry. His expertise took him to the Florida Space Coast, St. Petersburg, FL for twenty-five years and then to the Savannah River Site until his retirement in 2000. Throughout his career, Leo was highly regarded for his exceptional technical skills and the essential support he provided to the engineering teams. Leo was an avid walker, bicycle rider, never missed an opportunity to travel with family and friends and he was a loyal Patron of the Augusta National Masters Golf Tournament for over 60 years.

Beyond his professional life, Leo was an extraordinarily dedicated and loving brother and uncle. He is preceded in death by his sisters, Cornelia Ann Claxton, Janette Barnes Guiler, brothers-in-law Burnett Morris, R. Allen Claxton and grand-nephew Joshua Claxton. He is survived by his sister, Jaqueline Barnes Morris and loving nieces and nephews who hold him very dear in their hearts: Pamela Claxton Moffatt (Michael-d.), Richard Claxton (Ranee), Jennifer Claxton Randall (Corky), Robert Guiler, Martin Morris and Kyle Morris and their children. He also leaves behind longtime friends who will miss him tremendously.

Leo was very charitable and had often supported local organizations. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages contributions to a local charity of your choosing or one of the following established scholarships at the University of South Carolina-Sumter: The Leo Wilson Barnes Endowed Scholarship Fund or the Janette Barnes Guiler Memorial Scholarship.

A funeral service will be held at Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors in Augusta, GA, on Thursday, August 6 at 11 am with family visitation from 10 am-11 am. Burial and graveside service to follow at Sumter Cemetery in Sumter, SC on Friday, August 7 at 12-noon arranged by Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home.