William Maurice Wilson

Remembering Bill Wilson

William Maurice Wilson (Bill) was born in Paducah, Kentucky, on August 4, 1929, to Della Mae Jones Wilson and Maurice Wilson, and his sister Stella Wilson. He was baptized at age 12 at 19th and Broadway Church of Christ. He graduated from Tilghman High School in Paducah, went to Murray State College, and played percussion and the tuba with the West Kentucky Symphony. He moved to Texas City, Texas, in his sophomore year and attended the University of Houston, majoring in physics, math, and Natalie Amos. Bill and Natalie married right after graduation on January 23,1953. They immediately moved to New York for his job at Sperry Gyroscope in Great Neck, New York. Bill continued his education for five years in optical and infrared physics at Columbia University, University of Rochester, Boston University and Hofstra University for graduate work under Sperry Corp Ph.D. Program.

Bill and Natalie had their only daughter, Melinda Louise Wilson, while in New York in 1956. This prompted a desire to return to Texas to be closer to family. Bill was hired by Texas Instruments at Lemmon Avenue in 1957. While employed at Texas Instruments, Bill began as a Design Engineer and then became a Project Engineer. He led work on the first infrared weapons sight. Bill then a Program Manager, and next a Cost Center Manager, attaining a Level Three Management Position. His later years at Texas Instruments were filled with travels to Europe and Asia. After retiring from Texas Instruments in 1992, Bill worked for Varo, Inc. and consulted at Raytheon for five years. He then did home repairs, and then spent seven enjoyable years teaching science at Covenant Christian School.

Bill was a man of strong faith and always put God first in his life. He was an exceptionally caring husband and father. He always anticipated the needs of others and put his wife and daughter’s wants and needs ahead of his own. He loved to give to those he loved. He served at several Churches of Christ in the Dallas area as a Deacon and as an Educational Director. His awesome character, loving nature and spirit are evidenced by the close friends he made throughout his life. We all loved his giving and caring nature, his quick wit, his love of music, and his love of learning. He has left a void in the lives of those that knew him and will be tremendously missed.

Bill is survived by his daughter Melinda Louise Wilson Andrews, his son-in-law James Robert Andrews, and his two grandsons Christopher Wilson Andrews and William James Andrews. In addition, his niece Maureen Womack Johnson, his nephew Stan Eugene Womack and family, and amazing friends.