William Thomas Wailes

William Thomas (Bill) Wailes, age 89, of Tyler, Texas entered his heavenly rest on Sunday, August 27, 2023. Bill was born in Clinton, Oklahoma on June 16, 1934. He was raised most of his life in Bastrop, Louisiana and attended the Methodist Church where his mother played the organ and his father sang in the choir. He graduated from Bastrop High School. He entered the U.S. Navy one year after graduating high school in 1953 as an electrician apprentice. He served on the USS Epperson during the Korean Era Conflict and Peacetime in the Hawaiian Islands and off the coast of Okinawa, Japan. Bill served until 1957 and was awarded the Good Conduct Medal.

After serving in the U.S. Navy, Bill met the love of his life, Mitsie Amox, through one of Mitsie’s co-workers in February of 1966. Their first date was for Valentine’s Day. Bill truly impressed Mitsie by bringing her flowers & perfume! Their second date was a fishing trip--she was hooked! They married October 29 of that same year at Harris Chapel Methodist Church in Hughes Spring, Texas. They lived in Dallas, TX; Wilson, NC; and finally, Tyler, TX for 54 years. Bill and Mitsie enjoyed almost 57 wonderful years together. They loved to camp and fish at Caddo Lake and around many of Tyler’s area lakes. Bill taught her to play golf and they enjoyed many rounds together. They also had a very successful upholstery business together for 18 years even doing some work for Hollytree Country Club.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents Ella and Howard Wailes; his brothers Lester Wailes, Gene Wailes, and Kenny Wailes.

Bill is survived by his loving wife Mitsie; his sister-in-law, Sylvia Wailes of the Woodlands, TX and also many nieces and nephews, Karen Wailes Norton and her husband, Michael of Tyler, TX, Terri Wailes of Plano, TX, Chris Wailes and his wife, Melissa of Rosenberg, TX, Gina Wailes of Leander, TX, Tina Wailes Wiggins and her husband, Chad of The Woodlands, TX, Rhonda Wailes Plucienski and her husband, Robert of Slidell, LA, Scott Wailes, Kristy Wailes of Ft. Worth, TX, David Amox and his wife Connie of Texarkana, TX, and Scott Amox and his wife, Ronda of Maud, TX. Bill also had many great nieces and nephews as well.

It is with deep gratitude that Mitsie wishes to thank the staff of Amy’s Hometown Homecare, especially Amy Metcalf and Joe Clark; and also the staff of HospicePlus, especially Susan Easley, Heather, Amber, Terri, Keisha, Donna, and the chaplain, Randall Atol.

A Memorial service to celebrate Bill’s life will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, September 16, 2023 in the Chapel of Lloyd James Funeral Home with Chaplain Randall Ator officiating.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.lloydjamesfuneralhome.com for the Wailes family.