Billy Joe Wilson

Salado – Billy “Bill” Joe Wilson, formerly of Granbury, passed away on Monday, April 6, 2020, at the age of 88.

Funeral – Private
Lie in State – 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Friday, April 10, 2020 and 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Saturday, April 11, 2020, Wiley Funeral Home Chapel, Granbury.
Celebration of Life to be held at a later date.
Memorials: Contributions can be made in his memory to the Methodist Children’s Home, 1111 Herring Avenue, P O Box 5010, Waco, Texas 76708-9989 or Salado United Methodist Church.
Billy (Bill) Joe Wilson was born on April 6, 1932 about 5 miles southwest of Belton,Texas,to Joe and Helen Wilson.
As a young child, Bill spent his time doing chores on the family farm and when not in school, working at the family gas station and grocery store, that was located between Belton and Salado. He was active in the Salado school track, basketball, baseball, and football teams. During summer break, Bill spent his time bailing hay, milking cows twice a day,and feeding the chickens and hogs.
In 1948, his parents sold the store and move to Belton. Bill continued school in Salado, riding back and forth with a teacher who lived in Belton.
Bill graduated in 1949 and enlisted in the Air Force. He went through basic training at Lackland AFB in San Antonio and upon completion was assigned to Sheppard AFB in Wichita Falls to attend Aircraft and Engine Mechanics school. After graduation,Bill spent 5 years teaching aircraft engine maintenance.
During this time, Bill met and married Ruth Gore. They had one son, Billy James Wilson. Soon after, Ruth died from Hodgkin’s disease. Bill’s mother helped raise his son while he was away. In 1952, Bill married Iris “Elaine” Henderson, a registered nurse, and soon after they were able to take care of Billy James and they had two children of their own, Cynthia Ann and John Michael.
In 1955, Bill was a Technical Sergeant and was assigned to James County AFB in Waco to help maintain a large number of B25 aircraft. He was assigned to the engine shop and spent many hours troubleshooting engine problems.
In 1956, he was sent to Saudi Arabia. Bill was responsible for maintaining engines on C47 and C54 aircrafts and Embassy aircrafts in surrounding countries.
Bill returned to the United States in 1957, spending 6 years at Travis AFB in California, maintaining C124 aircraft and was also an instructor. Bill’s career escalated to Master Sergeant while at Travis.
The life of a serviceman was always exciting. After his time at Travis, with his wife and three children in tow, they were off to Guam. Bill was assigned to an En Route Support Squadron, taking care of Air Force, Navy and commercial planes. He was promoted to Senior Master Sergeant at this time.
In 1965, the family landed in Pensacola, Florida. Bill was assigned to Eglin AFB. He was a member of the 33rd Tactical Fighter Wing, maintaining new F4 fighters. He was a skilled engine mechanic and instructor, and was promoted to Chief Master Sergeant while at Eglin.
His service took him to Thailand in 1966 to the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing. Bill was in charge of the engine shop. At that time, most of the missions were over North Vietnam. As a result, a lot of combat damage to engines occurred. Bill and his team were up for the challenge and had engines available when needed.

In 1967, Bill returned to Charleston AFB in South Carolina, assigned to the C124, C141 and C5 engine sections. He became the Propulsion Branch Superintendent, responsible for 525 military personnel and 75 civilian employees.
On October 1, 1969, Bill retired from the Air Force after serving 20 years and moved to Iowa Park, near Wichita Falls. Soon thereafter, his new career as a car salesman began. During that time, Bill and Elaine moved to Granbury, where they enjoyed living by the lake, spending time with friends and family and attending their beloved Methodist Church. Bill continued working in the car business, buying cars for the used car lot and selling cars to the public. He retired after 31 years.
Shortly after his retirement from the car business, Bill began working for Wiley Funeral Home in Granbury. His kind heart and gentle nature kept him there for 7 years, retiring in 2007.
Elaine, his wife of 61 years, passed away in 2014. Bill continued to live in Granbury until April,2017 where at that time he married Patsy Sanford and moved to Salado. Patsy and Bill had known each other since the 5th grade in Salado, both graduating from Salado High School. Both were delivered by Dr. Ballard in 1932. Bill and Patsy enjoyed their special time together in Salado.

Bill’s pride and joy were his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, Joe and Helen Wilson and his former wives and mothers of his children, Ruth Wilson and Elaine Wilson, he was preceded in death by his sister Joyce Dollar, sister-in-law Helen Kimbro, brother-in-law Richard Henderson and niece Marilyn “Mimi” Henderson Morgan.
Survivors: Wife- Patsy Wilson, Son – Billy Wilson, Son – John “Mike” Wilson (Spouse: Taryn) Daughter- Cynthia Wilson Akers Stepson-Jim Sanford (Spouse: Lucinda) Stepson – Tracey Sanford.
Grandchildren: Angie Hills Buschow (Spouse: Leon) Matt Wilson (Spouse: Jennifer),Kathryn “Katie” Wilson Canty (Spouse: Mark) Alexandra “Alli” Wilson
Seven great-grandchildren
brother-in-law Chuck Kimbro,brother-in-law Roy Dollar
sister-in-law Marilyn Henderson and numerous nieces, nephews, friends and his beloved dog, Snowy.

Wiley Funeral Home, 400 Highway 377 East, Granbury, Texas, 76048 is in charge of arrangements.