Thomas Wilson

Graveside services for Thomas B.R. Wilson will be Saturday, April 25th, 10 am at the family cemetery at 80 W. Kincaid Ranch Road County Road 38 Artesia, New Mexico. PMr. Wilson died April 21, 2009 at his home. PDavid Wilson and Michael Joiner will be officiating at the services. Pallbearers will be Justin Wilson, Dale Vickery, Justin Polito, Don Dando, Jerry Tidwell, and Chuck Tidwell. Honorary Pallbearers will be Bill White, Leon Pearce, Leon Cates, Brad Hughes, Leon Warner, Doyle Pounds, Jim Boyse, and Jerry Houghtaling. PVisitation will be at Terpening amp; Son Mortuary Friday beginning at 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. PB.R. was born on February 22, 1936 in Nocona, Texas to Thomas Carl Wilson and Naida Grigbsy Wilson. He was a member of the Hermosa Church of Christ being baptized into his Lord and Savior at 8th amp; Grand Church of Christ in April 2000. PB.R. married Wanda Faye Warner on May 2, 1957 in Lovington, New Mexico. He is survived by his wife Wanda, one son David Wilson and wife Diana, grandchildren: Lacy Wilson, Justin Wilson and wife Brooke Hughes Wilson; three sisters: Shirley Thomas and husband Jerry, Carlene Morris and husband Leon, Cookie White and husband Bill, all of Artesia and several nieces and nephews. PHe was preceded in death by his parents, his only brother Tommie Gene Wilson, two sisters Linda Kay Wilson and Helen Janice Kepford. PB.R. knew only hard work his entire life and was considered to be one of the hardest working men in the country. You learned quickly not to challenge him to a working contest or a foot race, because you were in for the race of your life He had a love for children that was immeasurable and proven when he was a young boy: he quit school twice to work in the wheat fields along side his dad in order to feed the younger children. In spite of all the hard times and long hours he spent working, he was able to graduate from High School and attended Sul Ross College in Alpine, Texas, only leaving college to work in the oil fields because he felt he was placing a hardship on his parents who still had five children at home to feed. PBecause of his work ethic, B.R. was always able to get a job in the 50's when jobs were hard to find. He and Wanda moved many times in their first few years of marriage and eventually settled in Artesia, New Mexico in 1960. B.R. went to work with his dad as a contract pumper for his cousin John Bloise Castle, who was an early developer of the oil fields in Eastern New Mexico. As things declined in the oil field, he went to work for IMCC Potash Mines and worked as an underground miner for nine years. He then hired out for the City of Artesia as a fireman where he worked for 22 years as a lieutenant. During the 1970's B.R. was a steer-wrestler and a member of the PRCA and was an adamant big game hunter his entire life. PIn the early 1980's he began a small backhoe business and in 1984 he joined forces with his son David to form Wilson Backhoe Service, which later became Truck amp; Tractor Work LLC which they owned and operated until December 2007. He and Wanda sold their home of 35 years, and purchased the old Lee Farm in 1992 in which B.R. worked five long, hard years cleaning and cultivating until the farm was once again productive and flourishing. In 1999 B.R. and his son David pooled their resources and purchased the Schafer Ranch on Kincaid Ranch Road, again working many long hard hours upgrading the ranch. In 2007 he and Wanda pooled their resources and purchased the old Angell Ranch which is now named the Y7 Ranch after the original brand. Once again B.R. has worked untiringly supervising the upgrading of the Y7 into a productive cattle ranch for their grandchildren. PB.R. always arose early, worked late, and put his heart, soul and mind into every thing he did; and with the blessing of God was able to accomplish many things in his life time. We will all miss him beyond measure.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Baptist Children's Home, PO Drawer 629, Portales, NM 88130.