Colonel Bobby Darrell Wilson left his earthly home for his heavenly one Monday, October 7, 2024 surrounded by those that loved him. He was 89 years old.
Bobby was born November 20, 1934 to Harley and Viola Wilson in Humphrey, Arkansas. He was born as one of the middle children in his family and no doubt a completing piece to their loving home.
Bobby attended and graduated from Hazen High School in 1953. Immediately following school, he began his career with Arkansas Rice Growers Association. He was with the association through its transition into Riceland, and worked his way through multiple promotions throughout his more than 30-year career before retiring as Manager of the Stuttgart Grain Drying Association.
Before graduating high school, Bobby also joined the Arkansas National Guard in 1952. While also working at Riceland, Bobby began training and working his way through the ranks of the Arkansas National Guard. Bobby Wilson was of the first class of the Arkansas Military Academy’s Officer Candidate School in 1958, and would later be inducted into the OCS Hall of Fame in 2002. Ultimately in 1984, Bobby received his Silver Eagle as full bird Colonel when appointed as Inspector General and the Post Commander at Camp Robinson, Arkansas. Colonel Wilson’s last appointment was given to him in April of 1987 when he was named the United States Property and Fiscal Officer for the State of Arkansas. Colonel Bobby D. Wilson served his country proudly for 43 years and retired from service in 1994.
While attending school in Hazen Bobby met the love of his life, Carol Jeanette Clarke. Bobby and Carol would marry May 20, 1955 and would go on to start their sweet family in Stuttgart, Arkansas. The young couple learned a great deal with the other at their side and they built a family and a beautiful life together. The Wilsons celebrated the birth of their first son, Stephen Mark Wilson, on July 31, 1959 and would later welcome the birth of their youngest son Michael Clarke Wilson on October 5, 1962 who completed their family. While they had their two sons, the Wilsons were considered “family” to a great deal of others throughout their community and across the United States. The couple raised their sons to be incredible men that Bobby was immensely proud of, and they went on to create wonderful families of their own who Bobby cherished. While Colonel Wilson already had accomplished careers and an unmatched strength and work ethic, the role that he excelled in most was “Papaw” and family-man. The Wilson families never had a shortage of love or support as Bobby Wilson was a wellspring of it for those that he cared for.
In retirement, Bobby and Carol moved to Hot Springs, Arkansas and expanded their lives and their faith even further in their later years. Bobby served as Deacon at Lakeshore Heights Baptist Church where he could be found most days when not with his family. Their home in Hot Springs would become the home base for their family and what was a weekend getaway house was transformed by Bobby Wilson’s craftsmanship, becoming adorned in sweet memories of each of their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. There is not a direction you can step on the property that you will not find a gift from Bobby to his family to remember him by. Bobby was most adored by his grandchildren, there was never a single event or milestone in their lives that he was not present for. While those he left behind mourn the loss of their rock and pillar of their family, they are forever grateful to have had the privilege of having a champion such as Colonel Bobby D. Wilson in their lives and they find solace in the thought of having such a strong, generous and commanding angel to watch over them from above.
Colonel Bobby D. Wilson was preceded in death by his parents, Harley and Viola Wilson; his sister Irene Parks; his brothers, Arthur and Kenneth Wilson; his son, Michael Clarke Wilson; and a grandson, Joshua Robert Wilson.
Colonel Wilson is survived by his wife of 69 years, Carol Jeanette (Clarke) Wilson; his son, Stephen Mark Wilson; his daughter-in-law Alyson (Rodgers) Wilson; his grandchildren, Kayla Wilson, Kris (Dillon) Foshe, Abby (Johnny) Cheek, and Jared (Abigail) Wilson; and his great-grandchildren Liam Wilson, Kaidence Foshe, Porter Foshe, Vivianne Cheek, and Peter Wilson. He is also leaving behind a host of family and friends too numerous to name and will no doubt be helping from above to usher in the newest members of the Wilson family expected to arrive in early 2025 as well.
Services for Colonel Bobby D. Wilson will be held at Westbrook Funeral Home in Hazen, Arkansas on Saturday, October 12, 2024, visitation will begin at 12:00 PM with a memorial service to follow at 1:00 PM, his military honors and send off will follow at his graveside in Hazen Cemetery. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, those that wish to honor Colonel Wilson make donations to Arkansas Children’s Hospital or their own special cause in his name.
REST IN PEACE Colonel Wilson
Colonel Bobby Wilson was a remarkable man who lived an extraordinary life. His precious legacy will be dearly cherished by all those who knew him. As a young man in the 1960’s, I served in the Ark Army National Guard with “Captain Wilson” and his brothers. Later, as an old man, I served in the Air National Guard 189th AW contracting office at LRAFB.
My point is that both Army and Air Force personnel had great respect for Colonel Bobby Wilson who faithfully served for years as the USP&FO for the Military Department of Arkansas.
His position meant that Colonel Wilson was responsible for directing all financial and property matters
for all of the Army and Air Force National Guard Units in the entire state of Arkansas. As such, he was highly respected as for his knowledge and leadership abilities. Moreover, he was widely admired as a “gentleman” and an officer who helped countless others. We salute him. Our prayers continue for
all of his family and dear friends. Billy Booth