New Hanover grad featured on ‘This Old House’ dies

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A Wilmington teen who spent the summer working with the cast and crew of the PBS show “This Old House” has died.

Austin Wilson first learned woodworking at Kids Making It, an afterschool program in Wilmington.

According to a post on the Kids Making It Facebook page, Wilson died early Tuesday morning due to a pre-existing medical condition.

Wilson beat out hundreds of other contestants to become one of three apprentices on the home improvement television show.

A day after graduating from New Hanover High School, Wilson flew to Boston to work on the show. Kids Making It says Wilson was in Orlando with the ‘This Old House’ team to attend the National Association of Home Builders conference when he died.

Kids Making It is raising money to help bring his body back home.

They have set up an account for donations. You can mail your check to Kids Making It, Attn: Austin Wilson Memorial Fund, 617 Castle St. Wilmington, NC 28401.

You can also donate online at www.kidsmakingit.org, but indicate that your gift is for the Memorial Fund.