Sam Ray Wilson

Over the weekend his entire family had come to visit him in hospice. Sam died peacefully and comfortably surrounded by his family. Moments before he died, his daughter, Penny and two grandchildren, David and April were in his room laughing, listening and dancing to Sams favorite music, the Benny Goodman Band. All of in the family have reflected on the fact that he passed after being visited by the family, especially the grandchildren and listening to his favorite music.

Sam Ray Wilson was born of Ray & Ruth Wilson on December 3, 1931, in McAllen TX. Sam proudly called himself a “Border Rat”, and said even though he was born in McAllen, he got to Houston as fast as he could, which was five years after his birth when his parents moved to Houston.

He is preceded in death by his parents Ray & Ruth Wilson and grandson, Sam R Wilson III.

He is survived in death by his wife, Sherli Wilson; his brother, Dick & Deanna Wilson and their daughter Lorie & Steve Reynolds; his sons: Sam Jr. & Susan Wilson, Ray Wilson, Chuck & Diane Stanley, Bill & Chris Wilson, and Preston Wilson; his daughters: Penny & Richard Huss, Marta & Carlos Zamora, and Leslie Leamon; his Grandchildren: Jeremy Huss, David Huss, April Pina, Esmeralda Roberts, Ashley Manyose, April Day, Tegan Stanley, Claudia Rascon, Jessica Isdell, Ariana Wilson, Elizabeth Wilson, Marisa Wilson, Jacquelyn Wilson, Kendal Watson. Charlie Zamora, Sam Zamora, Shirley Zamora and Drew Leamon; and numerous great grandchildren.

Sam Graduated from San Jacinto High School in the ROTC. From there he enrolled at the University of Houston. Continuing in ROTC he also joined the Cougar Guard and Law School. Sam Graduated U of H in 1955

Sam joined the US Army as a JAG Lieutenant 1958. His duties in the military were with the Judge Advocate General’s Corp, also known JAG were he defended military personal. He completed his active duty as a Captain and continued to serve in the reserves until 1963 when he was honorably discharged.

After Sam was discharged from his military service he worked as the Assistant Attorney General for the State of Texas for many years. In 1974 Sam left the Attorney General’s office to start his own law firm. He met Sherli at the Harris County District Attorney’s office and they were married in Hawaii, at the Diamond Head Resort on June 22, 1973. Sam continued his private practice until 2011.

In Sam’s teen years he worked with his father, who was a custom home builder in Tanglewood and River Oaks neighborhoods. It was at this point in his life that discovered he did not want to have a career in the construction business. So Sam joint the ROTC at San Jacinto High School. He continued ROTC at University of Houston. While attending The University of Houston Sam worked his way thru school with a night job as a projectionist in a movie theater which gave him time to do his homework. Sam was proud of this job because as a teenager he was given a lot of responsibility as a projectionist.

While attending U of H Sam was very proud to be a member of the “Cougar Guard”. He felt it a true honor to escort and care for Shasta the cougar mascot for the university.

Sam had a full and rewarding life as an attorney, father and grandfather. Sam left this world with a good name and the world is a better place because of Sam. His family looks forward to seeing him again in the resurrection.