Roll Call Tribute

Published in Austin American-Statesman on Sept. 8, 2017

James WILSON
WILSON, USAF Ret. Lt Col James Wendel Kick the tires and light the fires, USAF Ret. Lt Col James Wendel Wilson is on his way to Heaven. The "short smiling Texan" died peacefully with his family beside him on Sept. 5, 2017 after giving Alzheimer's and complications a run for its money. Jim had a lifetime love affair with football, the Westlake Chaps, Sousa marches, dachshunds, the Aggies, jelly beans, and catching bass. He excelled at keep the lawn green and outsmarting the weeds, telling corny dad jokes, and singing silly songs, but if you asked, he would rather be fishing, or watching football. Reflecting his full life, he was known by many names Mr. Wilson, Jim, James, Uncle Jimmy, Colonel, Sir and Daddy. He grew up in Jasper, Texas where he was known as the Peachtree Street Rascal. He enjoyed riding bikes with his childhood friend Max Mays, usually riding out to Uncle Skeeter's pond to fish. He graduated as a proud member of the Class of '57 Corps of Cadets from Texas A&M University and was commissioned as an officer in the USAF. He got his master's in business administration from the University of Montana in Missoula. During the Cold War, he spent many days underground in the missile silos, retiring from the 68th Strategic Missile Squadron as a squadron commander in 1978. He then returned to civilian life, happy to bring his family to Austin, a sleepy little college town he remembered from his college days. He worked at Motorola in the semiconductor division for about 15 years before retiring, and enjoying fishing in the lakes around Austin. He and his wife Sue served as treasurers of the Westlake Band Parents for five years and actively served as chaperones on every band trip and out of town game and attended Westlake Band events for many years. Jim is survived by his wife Sue, originally of Goldsboro, North Carolina, and his children, Bradley Wilson of Wichita Falls and Kristi Wilson of Cedar Park, as well as lots of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by parents Bill and Sallie Wilson of Jasper, brother Bill Wilson of Ruidoso, New Mexico, and sister Evon Byrd of Texas City. The family would like to thank Hospice Austin and the staff of Harmony Point Memory Care for helping him in his final years. In lieu of flowers, donate to the Westlake Band Parents (PO Box 160522, Austin, Texas 78716-0522) or All-Texas Dachshund Rescue (P.O. Box 841336, Pearland, Texas 77584) or an animal shelter in your area.