Wayland Reuben Wilson

Wayland Reuben Wilson, of Groesbeck, passed away at the Limestone Medical Center on Sunday, November 18, 2012, following a brief and fast bout with cancer, at age 87. Graveside services will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Tuesday, November 20, 2012, in the Pavilion at Faulkenberry Cemetery, with Dennis Wilson officiating, and followed by Masonic Services by Groesbeck Lodge #354 and military honors by American Legion Post #288 of Groesbeck. Wayland was born July 9, 1925 at Ben Hur to Earl K. Wilson and Linnie Ray Patterson Wilson, their first of eight children. He graduated from Groesbeck High Schhol in the Class of 1942, which celebrated their 70th. class reunion this year. Wayland was a World War II veteran, serving in the U. S. Navy from 1944 through 1946, and always said his duty was a “mop swabber.” He was proud to have served his country and remained committed to his country the rest of his life. After his honorable discharge, he started his career as a bricklayer, the only occupation he said he ever had. He became a member of Bricklayer’s Union in October 1946, and was still a paid-up member at the time of his death. Wayland married Johnnie Louise Tucker on July 18, 1948 in Corpus Christi, and they lived in many different towns and states where he worked on union jobs on schools, hospitals, and many other large construction projects. They moved back to Groesbeck on November 4, 1968. He has been a member of the First United Methodist Church in Groesbeck since 1937, where he had “his pew,” and where he monitored the length of sermons during football season. Wayland was a member of Groesbeck Masonic Lodge #354 A.F. and A.M. and had been a Master Mason since December 1951. He served as Worshipful Master four times and as secretary and as chaplain many times through the years. He was presented with his “60-year” award from the Grand Lodge of Texas on October 22, 2012. He was also a member of York Rite, Scottish Rite, Karem Shrine Temple, and served as Worthy Patron many times in the Order of the Eastern Star, Chapter #810 of Groesbeck. In the early seventies, he served on the Groesbeck City Council. Wayland, as well as his wife Johnnie, was a truly devoted Groesbeck Goat fan, especially in football and girl’s basketball. This year, knowing his health problems, was the first year he didn’t renew his reserved seats for the season. He was also a huge Texas Ranger fan, and his life’s schedules revolved around the Texas Ranger’s game schedule on TV. But he was giving up on the Cowboys. Wayland was a big “ham-radio” operator and talked to people all over the world on his radio. Wayland was also devoted to his rose garden and gave serious attention to their care. Wayland and Johnnie did not have any children by birth, but helped raise several nieces and nephews and were the “day-parents” and as devoted as any grandparents to several children, including great nephew, Randy Coalston (son of Donna Wilson Coalston), the Bass boys (sons of Rhonda and Jimmy Bass), and Micaela Gallagher (daughter of Donna Stevens). He also liked to create mischief every chance he had with all the nieces and nephews. Wayland was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Johnnie Wilson (married for 61 years when she passed away in 2009); his brothers, Gayland Wilson, Billy Wilson, and Darwin “Buddy” Wilson; and sister, Shirley Wilson Scott. He is survived by his brothers and sisters-in-law, Bobby and Debbie Wilson of Groesbeck, Dwain and Darla Wilson of Waco; sister and brother-in-law, Nela Faye and Robert Brown of Groesbeck; sister-in-law, Louise Wilson of Waco; many nieces and nephews; beloved “kids”, Micaela Gallagher; his brother Masons and Easter Star, fellow Groesbeck Goat fans, fellow Methodist brethren, and many other friends all over the state.