James Robert Wilson's Obituary
Jim (J. R.) Wilson, age 89, was bom in McKinney, TX on December 28,1925 to Homer Doyle and Era Mae Wilson and went home to the Lord on October 5, 2015. Jim graduated from Bryan High School and attended Texas A&M before entering the Navy, where he served two years as an Aviation Electronics Technician. He then returned to A&M to complete his BS in Civil Engineering, Class of ’47. J. R.’s career in the water industry began as a Sales Engineer with U. S. Pipe and Foundry Co., manufacturers of cast iron pressure pipe. He then began a life-long passion to learn everything he could about pipe manufacturing, installation and operation. He added concrete pressure pipe to his knowledge base at United Concrete Pipe, a subsidiary of U. S. Pipe where he was Southwest Sales Manager. During a 25 year career with Lone Star Steel, he served as Manager of Cast Iron and Spiral Pipe Steel Pipe Sales. He joined Thompson Pipe and Steel and in 1994, at the age of 69 began an 18 year career with Gifford-Hill American (which later became Hanson Pipe Products). Considered to be an expert in all types of pipe and co-author of AWWA Standards Manuals, his knowledge and expertise have been called upon for many milestone projects, from building a 90 mile pipeline across west Texas during the 1950’s drought to supporting NASA at Cape Canaveral to allow the flooding of launch pads during rocket launches. When a utility needed pipe in a hurry because of a blowout or disaster, they knew they could count on J.R. to make deliveries happen, and fast. J. R. has been a member of AWWA since 1951. He received his Lifetime Membership Award in 1981 and his Gold Water drop award in 2001. He worked with the Cast Iron Pipe Research Association, was a member of AWWA Steel Water Pipe Manufacturers Technical Advisory Committee and helped write the 2 and 3 editions of Ml 1 Steel Pipe- A Guide for Design and Installation. At Texas Water 2015, the Texas Section honored J.R. with the Lechner Award of Excellence, recognizing a service provider member for exceptional service to the industry. Soon after joining US Pipe and Foundry, J. R. boarded a Braniff DC-3 and met his future wife, Mary Ann Bowman, a Braniff Hostess. They married in Perkins Chapel on March 15, 1952 and had three children, Keith, Mark and Nancy. Jim joined Mary Ann at Northway Christian Church and was an active member for 63 years. Serving on many committees, as a Deacon and as an Elder. He was honored to become an Elder Emeritus in 2013. Jim loved his family, outdoors and travel. They hiked and camped in 48 states, and cruised and traveled overseas extensively. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Mary Ann, three children and spouses, Keith and Kathryn Wilson, Mark and Liz Wilson, Rev. Nancy Sherman, 9 grandchildren and their spouses, Jennifer and Jeff McDonnell, Bo and Mary Wilson, Laura and Josh Rosinski, Amy and Chad Hoar, Waylon and Ashley Wiley, Christina and Brett Upchurch, David and Katie Sherman, Scott Sherman, Amanda Sherman and 17 great grandchildren. These children were the light of his life. He is also survived by two nieces, one nephew, and many friends. His only sister, Betty Jo Conlee preceded him in death. Visitation will be at Restland Memorial Park on Thursday, October 8 from 6PM to 8PM. Internment will be at Restland on Friday, October 9 at 9AM, Celebration of Life Worship Service on Friday, at 11AM at Northway Christian Church, 7202 W. Northwest Highway. Pallbearers are Keith Wilson, Mark Wilson, Bo Wilson, David Sherman, Scott Sherman, Waylon Wiley. Honorary pallbearers are Jeff McDonnell, Josh Rosinski, Chad Hoar and Brett Upchurch. Memorials may be made to Northway Christian Church or to the charity of your choice. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Restland Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 13005 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX 75243 at Restland Road.
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