Obituary of Billy James Wilson

Billy “Bill” James Wilson was born on January 10, 1952, to Billy Joe Wilson and Ruth Allene Gore Wilson in Wichita Falls, Texas. He went to be with Jesus on May 29, 2023, in Sulphur Springs, Texas.

His mother passed away from illness in February 1952. Since Bill’s father was in the air force and being shipped overseas, “Little Bill” went to live with his paternal grandparents, Joe and Helen Wilson, and his aunt Joyce Wilson.

Bill was raised on a farm in Belton, Texas by his grandmother, “Nanny” and Aunt Joyce. He then went to live with his father, Bill and wife, Elaine, and their two children, Cindy and Mike when Bill was 13 years old.

After graduating from Iowa Park High School in 1970, Bill attended college at Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, where he would graduate in 1976 with a bachelor’s degree in Geology and a minor in Engineering. Bill landed his first job out of college with Peabody Vann in Canada. After a few years in Canada, Bill returned to Wichita Falls, Texas. There he met Linda Wallace Bradley, who had three children from a previous marriage. Bill and Linda married in 1980, and had two children together, James Matthew (1983) and Kathryn Anne (1985). Bill and Linda divorced in 1987. Bill took on the responsibility of raising his two children, Matt and Katie, while being a full-time geologist. The family of three moved to Rowlett, Texas, where Bill raised his two children as a single parent.

Besides his kids, Matt and Katie, Bill had other loves: fishing, fly fishing, reading, history, collecting rocks, cooking, but more importantly, he loved God, and raised his children in the Lutheran LCMS Church. Bill also loved his numerous friends, and the oil and gas industry was a second family to him. His favorite bands and musicians were The Moody Blues, The Byrds, Dan Fogelberg, John Denver, among many others.

Bill was preceded in death by his mother, Ruth; mom, Elaine; dad, Bill; and his grandmother, Helen “Nanny” Wilson.

He is survived by his son, Matt and daughter-in-law Jennifer Wilson; daughter, Katie and son-in-law Mark Canty; grandchildren, James (19), Violet (17), Lillian (15), Olive (11), Hazel (10), Jude (8), Pearl Wilson (10 mo), and Emily Canty (8).

Memorial Services for Bill “Dad” will be held June 17, 2023, at 1 p.m. at Thompson’s Harveson & Cole Chapel, 4350 River Oaks Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76114.