Wilson Boyd Harris

Wilson Boyd Harris, 94, departed from the life on earth that he loved so dearly to enjoy greater adventures with his Lord and Savior on June 12, 2024. He was endearing to everyone who met him, always offering a smile and a joke, and living life to its fullest. He had an adventurous spirit and loved to tell stories of his travels, which began at an early age, taking a train on his own from his home in Memphis to Chattanooga at only 9 years old. He also hitchhiked across the United States at the ripe age of 16. Road trips were one of his greatest passions.

Born in Memphis, Tennessee, Wilson graduated from Central High School in 1948, and four years later received his Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Purdue University. He served in the ROTC, and traveled on a light armored cruiser from California to Hawaii, and back. Thereafter he enlisted at Naval Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island. He rose to the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade during the Korean War, stationed on a submarine off the coast of San Diego, California as a Guided Missiles instructor.

Wilson returned as a civilian to the electrical engineering field, accepting a job at Texas Instruments and moved to Dallas. He was soon introduced to Elizabeth Coble Stewart (Liz), quickly realizing that he had found the love of his life, and he married her on July 3, 1962. Over four years they had three children together, Boyd Edward in 1963, Laura Elizabeth in 1965, and Deborah Jane in 1966.

After a number of years at Texas Instruments, Wilson accepted a position in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico with Transitron Electronics and moved his family to Laredo, Texas. Anticipating a demise in the company, Wilson chose to not move his family again, and sought opportunities in Laredo.

In 1972, Wilson became a franchisee and opened a Shakey’s Pizza Parlor on Santa Ursula Street. Wilson caught the entrepreneurial bug, and in 1975, inspired by Liz’s passion for making Saturday morning donuts for the family, he bought another franchise and opened Mister Donut on San Bernardo. In 1990, Wilson and Liz bought Baskin Robbins Ice Cream on San Bernardo and became the fun food gurus of Laredo.

Upon later rebranding Baskin Robbins to KaleidoScoops Ice Cream, Wilson and Liz became local celebrities as the spokespeople for the company, notably recording a series of playful radio advertisements, in which Wilson coined the phrase “Good Lord, Liz”. He and Liz also brought to life kookie new products and marketing gimmicks, like taking a “stage dive into a Mosh Pit Sundae”.

Upon retirement Wilson and Liz dedicated a great amount of their time volunteering for Christ Church Episcopal and Habitat for Humanity amongst other non-profit organizations. They spent much time on road trips traveling the states, visiting national parks and enjoying time with their ornery Scottish Terrier, MacArthur.

After Wilson lost his precious Liz in 2008, he remained in Laredo for a few years, rooting for the Laredo Lemurs and continuing to volunteer for his church. In 2015 he returned to Dallas, the place where he and Liz had met, and where he could be near family.

Wilson was an ardent sports fan. He loved his Dallas Cowboys and San Antonio Spurs. He enjoyed weekends following professional golf, and often reminded his family of the 79 he shot at Torrey Pines. He was known as the family and neighborhood authority on trivia. Throughout his adult life he was often found listening to classical music and his favorite threesome band, the Kingston Trio. He also dedicated much personal time reading and pondering scriptures from his Bible.

Preceded in death is Wilson’s wife, Liz, his parents John Wormeley, Jr. and Frances Weir, and his brother, John Wormeley, III. He is survived by his children, Boyd Edward of Georgetown, Texas, Laura Harris (Erick) Hossley of John’s Creek, Georgia, and Deborah Harris (Geoff) Waters of Dallas, Texas and by his four grandchildren, Nathan and Matt Hossley and Ryan and Jack Waters.

Services will be held at Christ Church Episcopal (2320 Lane Street, Laredo, Texas 78043) at 11:00 am on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, followed by a joining together in the reception hall at 12:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, and in memory of Wilson, please consider donating to Christ Church Episcopal or the Laredo Philharmonic.

Wilson's interment will take place at a later date at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery alongside his wife Liz. More information to come.