Wiltshire moved to Lake Wales in 1948 to open his private medical practice. He became an active member in the community and was chosen as Lake Wales Citizen of the Year in 1988, allowing him to serve as the grand marshal of the Martin Luther King Jr. Parade. Among his many recognitions, Dr. J.A. Wiltshire Avenue in Lake Wales was named after him.

Wiltshire was a member of the Lake Wales Hospital medical staff, where he served as president, secretary, treasurer and chief of staff. He was also on staff at Lake Wales Extended Care Facility.

During his tenure, Wiltshire delivered nearly 2,500 babies, many to families living in Lake Wales. Although his life revolved around medicine, Wiltshire also made time to golf and fly his airplane.

Along with serving his community as a doctor for many years, Wiltshire was also active in various civic organizations. He was a member of the Lake Wales Rotary Club, the Lake Wales Country Club and the Lake Wales YMCA board of directors.

Wiltshire was a member of the Allied Medical Society, the National Medical Association, the Southern Medical Association and the Flying Physicians Association. He was a member of the board and treasurer of the Florida Medical, Dental and Pharmaceutical Association.

He also served on the board of directors of the Polk County Mental Health Association and the Florida Medical Association. He was a life member of the Polk County Medical Society.

He was also an active member of Allen Temple A.M.E. Church where he served on the Board of Stewards, the Ever-Ready Club and the trustee board.

Wiltshire received numerous awards for his medical expertise, including the Outstanding Service Award from the Florida National Guard, the President's Award from Meharry Medical College, the Outstanding Service Award from the Bartow Imperial 25 Club, and the Outstanding Community Service Award from the Roosevelt School Alumni Association.

He also received the Annual Medical Award from the Polk County Chapter of the United Negro College Fund and a service award from Club Entre Nous in 1984.

Wiltshire was born to the late Ashby Newton and Olivia Winfrey Wiltshire on May 15, 1922 in Asbury Park, N.Y. He was the oldest of four siblings.

At age 16, he enrolled at Fisk University in Nashville, Tenn., on a music scholarship. He later changed with major to pre-med, majoring in chemistry.

He served in the U.S. Army's Specialized Training Program from 1943 until 1946. While in service, he entered Meharry Medical College, where he graduated with honors in 1946. After graduation, he served as director of Student Health at Florida A&M University in Tallahassee.

He is survived by his wife, Laura Craft Wiltshire of Lake Wales; a son, Joseph A. Wiltshire II of Jonesboro, Ga.; daughters, Joyce Wiltshire of Lake Wales, Jill Holland of Bartow, Juliette Scales of Suwanee, Ga. and Jayne Joyner of Crestview; a sister, Barbara Garrett of Neptune, N.J.; 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

A visitation will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday at Allen Temple A.M.E. Church, 241 C St. in Lake Wales. The funeral is scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday at the church, with the burial following at Lake Wales Cemetery.