Bill Wilson

Bill Wilson died on July 8, 2011 at a local hospital after a short illness. Visitation will be at Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home on Sunday, July 10, 2011 from 5-7pm. Services will be in the chapel at Crawford-Bowers on Monday, July 11, 2011 at 4pm followed by graveside services at Crawford Cemetery in Crawford, Texas. Dr. Jim Ellor will officiate.

Bill Wilson was born February 24, 1934 in Sutton, West Virginia to William Andrews Wilson and Faneda Dickey Wilson. After his father’s death, he was raised by Wilbur and Emma Eakle, the same couple who had raised his father. Billy left Sutton when he was 16 to join the Army. He told them he was the required 17 years old. By the time they found out the truth, he had turned 17. He was stationed in Germany where he married the love of his life, Christine Maria Boden, in 1952. Two children were born to this union, Helen Wilson Harris and Andy Wilson.

Bill Wilson attended school in Sutton and completed the GED in the Army. He was a self made man who brought himself and his family out of poverty through his hard work. He worked hard and made rank in the Army in order to support his family. He always worked a second job to supplement his army pay and provide for his wife and children. During his military career, he trained troops and was responsible for preparing many of them to survive in Vietnam. He served one year in Vietnam and returned to finish his Army career as a recruiter. After his Army retirement, Bill started a second career with John Hancock Insurance where he started as a salesman and soon became the manager. He was known for being fair and honest. During these years, he became an active Rotarian where he served in a number of leadership positions.

Bill Wilson was so proud of his family. He insisted that his children and grandchildren get a good education. He made it his mission to make that possible for the family. As a consequence, his children and grandchildren had opportunity to go as far in education as they wanted to. He was also proud of his family’s military service with a son who served in the Marines, a granddaughter who served in the Navy and a grandson serving in the Air Force. Bill and Christel stayed active in square dancing for many years and in the German Ladies’ singing club after that. But Bill’s main claim to fame in the last years of his life was as caregiver to his beloved Christel. He made it possible for her to remain at home despite numerous health challenges. Bill loved God and God’s children and often gave of his resources to help those in need. He loved people and was friendly and outgoing to all. One thing he most enjoyed was Wednesday morning breakfast with his dear friends, the breakfast club.

Bill Wilson was preceded in death by his wife, Christel, in March 2011. He is survived by his son Andy and his wife Carmen and their children including daughter Tammy Moore her children LJ, Ty, and MacKenzie; daughter Tracy Soto and her husband Jorge and their children Alexis and Cole; and by his daughter Helen Wilson Harris and her husband Don Harris and their children Beth and Daniel and Daniel’s wife, Stephanie and children Sophia and Nicholai; and his step son Armin Weissenfels and his wife Patti and children Tobias, Carsten and Fritzi, and Hannah and Hannah’s husband Christian and daughter Sophie; and a host of friends.

Bill’s family would like to thank Dr. Shane Maxwell and his staff for their loving care of Bill and Chris Wilson these past years; thank you to the physicians and nursing staff at Scott and White Hospital and Scott and White Hospice for their valiant attempts to treat his cancer and their tender and competent work to make him comfortable in these last days. Thank you to the Rotarians and square dancers and host of friends who have blessed us with visits and sweet memories.

Bill loved people. So, if you want to honor him, send flowers to someone you love, someone who can enjoy them now or make a gift to the Rotary Scholarship Fund, Scott and White Hospice, or charity of your choice.