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Submitted: 3/8/14 • Approved: 3/9/14 • Last Updated: 3/12/14 • R987186-G0-S3
US Air Force
World War II
August 10, 1923 - May 23, 2010
*Obituary
thecabin.net
Baxter Zebdee “Willie” Wilson was born August 10, 1923, in Mayflower, to Baxter L. Wilson and Bessie Hooks Wilson.
He grew up in Arkansas with his four sisters, Gertrude, Lula, Lois and Betty.
In 1940, he graduated from North Little Rock High.
On March 29, 1943 he eloped with Nita Dorene Williams. They were married for over 67 years.
Later on that year he began his military career in the United States Air Force as a belly-gunner in a B-17 during World War II.
After the war, in 1945, he took his wife Nita and young son Larry and moved to California.
In Nov. 1945, he began his 56-year career at Graniterock in Salinas.
In July 2002, he retired and went back home to Conway.
His passion was to sing and teach the word of God.
He was a song leader at Bethel Baptist Church in Salinas, Calif.
He was pastor at First Baptist Church of Hollister, Calif.; Memorial Baptist Church in Seaside, Calif.; and Las Lomas Baptist Church in Las Lomas, Calif. Once back in Arkansas, he attended Brumley Baptist Church in Conway.
On the morning of May 23, 2010, he went to be with the Lord. He was 86 years old.
He is survived by spouse, Nita D. Wilson, Conway; children, Larry Z. Wilson of Salinas, Calif., Michael G. Wilson and wife Carolyn of Boise, Idaho, Johnny M. Wilson and wife Sherry of Conway, Margaret R. (Becky) Eames and husband Bruce of Boise, Idaho, Karry L. Wilson of Salinas, Calif., and Jeffrey S. Wilson and wife Amanda of Conway; grandchildren, Lon McCullough of Los Gatos, Calif., Brian Wilson and Lisa of Boise, Idaho, Jason Wilson of Boise, Idaho, Alex Wilson and Pattie of Boise, Idaho, Bonnie Lanigan and Michael of Chicago, Ill., Becky Smith and Jason of Russellville, Betty Wilson of Conway, Ryan Wilson of Fresno, Calif., Malissa Moon and Tim of Salinas, Calif., and Brady Bostic of Conway; great grandchildren, Kristen and Cheyenne Wilson of Boise, Idaho, Jayne and Jake Wilson of Boise, Idaho, Michael, Kelsey and Sidney Lanigan of Chicago, Ill., Paige and Tori Smith of Russellville and Jarrod Moon of Salinas, Calif.; and siblings, Lois Kelley of Little Rock and Betty Reeves and Charles of Mayflower.
A visitation will be held tonight from 6-8 p.m. at Griffin Leggett Funeral Home, 1751 Dave Ward Dr., Conway, AR 72034, 327-5000.
Funeral will be held at 1 p.m. Friday in the chapel of Griffin Leggett Funeral Home.
Contributed on 3/8/14 by hawkinsdonna
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Record #: 987186