Kenneth Lee Wilson

Kenneth Lee Wilson, avid fisherman, businessman and former Wood County commissioner, died March 24, 2010, of complications from pneumonia and brain cancer.

He was 80.

Kenneth was a no-nonsense entrepreneur. His strong work ethic, his desire to help others succeed and his sense of justice were hallmarks of his life. He died at home, his favorite place to be, surrounded by his devoted family.

He always knew he was loved.

Kenneth was born Oct. 27, 1929, in Myrtle Springs to Robert and Marie Wilson. He attended Winnsboro public schools, where he excelled academically and was a standout in sports, especially football. He was team captain, played offense and defense, was named All-East Texas and All State, and in 1995, was among the first to be inducted into the Winnsboro Athletic Hall of Fame.

He attended Paris Junior College and played football there until his father died suddenly in 1952. Kenneth left college to support his family.

He later served in the Texas National Guard, retiring as a captain, and worked professionally in a variety of fields.

He grew roses and watermelons, raised catfish, owned a small grocery and managed a creosote plant. In the mid-1970s, he bought a Texaco service station on Interstate 20 and found his calling. By the early 1980s, he had sold that business and bought a Texaco station at the corner of U.S. 69 and U.S. 80, in the heart of Mineola.

There was a time when customers wanted full service at a service station, and they always got it at Wilson Texaco.

Kenneth Wilson was a natural businessman and soon knew everyone in the county. In 1990 he ran for Wood County commissioner as a conservative Democrat and won.

He operated his precinct with a common-sense approach, just like he did his businesses. He never minced words; he said exactly what he thought and those who worked for him say he was respected for it. He was elected to three terms and retired in 2002.

Kenneth didn't have a lot of hobbies. He was a fisherman, and that was enough. Like fishing, his joys were simple.

He enjoyed sitting on the back porch watching birds. He loved listening to gospel music, anything by the Happy Goodman Family, and rarely missed the Gaither Gospel Hour.

He loved Christmas lights and almost any kind of pie.

And he loved his family. They depended on him and he knew he could depend on them.

As his health failed, his family and close friends were at his side. They stopped by to visit and to bring his favorite foods. They sat with him in the hospital.

All he wanted was to go home.

On March 20, 2010, Kenneth Wilson went home for the last time. He and his wife, Gene, spent his final days like they did the previous 56 years, side by side.

Kenneth Wilson was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his brother, Wayne Wilson and Martha of Tyler; his wife, Gene, of Mineola; three children, Susie Reed and Ricky Dickerson of Carthage, Janet Naumann and Vance of Austin, and Jolene Bartlett and Rick of Tyler; six grandchildren, DeeAnn Ferguson and Justin Crump of Golden, Brandy Osbourn and Tracy, and Michael Reed and Ashly Bradshaw of Mineola, Jennifer Hayes and Grayson of Flint, Bryce Bartlett and Becca of Richardson, and Blake Bartlett of Austin; 12 great-grandchildren, Nic Geremonte and Mary Broadhurst, Cameron Reed, Gus Peacock, Gracie Peacock, Will Hayes, Kadence Bradshaw, Layne Crump, Jack Hayes, Lyric Bradshaw, Thatcher Bartlett, Alice Hayes and Milo Reed; one great-great-grandchild, Braelyn Geremonte; and nieces, nephews and many friends.

Pallbearers will be his grandsons: Michael Reed, Blake Bartlett, Bryce Bartlett, Nic Geremonte, Cameron Reed, Gus Peacock and Will Hayes.

Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Beaty Funeral Home, 5396 S. Texas Highway 37, Min-eola. Services will be 2 p.m. Friday, March 26, at the funeral home.