William "Bill" Wilson's Obituary
William Hal “Bill” Wilson, 67, slipped away from this earthly life in his sleep on Wednesday, March 11, 2015 to begin his heavenly, eternal life. His sudden passing was a shock to his family and friends. He was born to Hal and Bessie Wilson Taylor of Washington DC on March 9, 1948. After the death of both of Bill’s parents, Claude and Viola McKee Wilson of Lonoke, AR took Bill and his sister Linda to raise as their own. Bill finished school at North Little Rock High in 1966. He also graduated in 1970 from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville with a BSBA degree. Bill was a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity and was very active on the Greek Council, and in Student Government. After college, he toured Europe, and returned to Houston, TX as the Marketing Mgr. for the City of Houston’s Astrodome Complex of arenas. He then worked at a well-known Dallas ad agency before joining Haverty’s Furniture as Regional Advertising Mgr. Haverty’s transferred Bill to the Bluff City. He attended Second Presbyterian Church, where in 1990, he met the love of his life, Chris Wright, a local Memphian. As the Dir. of Sales, Bill grew the business until it closed 16 years later. Subsequent sales and marketing positions kept Bill active in business until failing health forced him into early retirement. Described by many as a gentle soul, Bill was an inquisitive and voracious reader who could knowledgably converse on almost any subject. Last year, Bill and Chris enjoyed a wonderful Caribbean/Virgin Islands cruise celebrating their 25th anniversary. Bill now joins the roll of Kappa Sigma’s Chapter Celestial. Bill is survived by his loving wife, Chris Wright Wilson, his only son and daughter-in-law, Jonathan and Kim Brown of Houston, TX, and children, twins Will (named for Bill) and Jack, and baby Ella Rose, a sister and brother in law Jim and Linda (Wilson) Neuman of Longview TX and their three adult children, Alycia Harper, Brett Neuman, and Laura Peterson and their children. His aunt and beloved “adopted mother”, Viola Wilson Caple, 97, of North Little Rock and her husband, Earl also survive Bill. His mother in law, Jamie Wright of Memphis, his two sister in laws, Jennie Wright of Memphis and Debbye, and brother in law, Blair Wright of Knoxville also mourn his passing, along with the Wrights’ three adult children, Ben Wright, Natalie Wright, of Knoxville, and Katie & Dan Trenda and three children of Grand Island, NY and a host of cousins from Lonoke AR, Bill’s childhood home. Bill’s adored pet dog, Trapper, a beautiful Sheltie, and his lap kitty, Cookie, already miss him terribly. A funeral service will be held at St. Philip Episcopal Church of Bartlett on Saturday, March 21st at 1 p.m., officiated by Father Terry Street, Rector, a longtime friend. Visitation will be held on Friday March 20 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.at Memorial Park Funeral Home, 5668 Poplar Ave. Memphis 38119. Memorials should be sent to the charity of the donor’s choice.
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