Thomas Jackson Wilson

Thomas Jackson Wilson Born May 12, 1918 "Big Daddy's Story" Tom, Big Daddy, Grandpa, left this earth on January 4, 2010 to follow his beloved wife, Elizabeth (Betty) of 67 years to join her in Heaven. He was born on a cotton farm outside of Yazoo City, Mississippi. His parents were farmers and he and his 3 brothers: Henry, Acie & Kenneth and five sisters: Addie, Susie, Frances, Willy & Jewel all helped on the family farm. Tom was the first of his siblings to go off to college (others followed). He graduated from Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, La., with a Mechanical Engineering Degree. He joined the Army Air Corps (Air Force) and became a pilot and Lieutenant Colonel. He was stationed in San Antonio, Texas, Kelly Air Force Base and trained to fly British Spit Fire Airplanes during World War II. He met Elizabeth Belk on a date to a USO dance. They fell in love, married in New Orleans and Tom went overseas to war for 2 ½ years. He flew bombing escorts out of England over Germany and other European countries. After the war he came home to Elizabeth in Austin, Texas to make their life together. He attended graduate school at The University of Texas. They had 3 children who loved them: Tommy Wilson, Peggy Wilson Seiders (married to Jack Seiders), and Kelley Wilson (married to Carol Genster Wilson). They lived in the Travis Heights area on Chelsea Lane. They were good, strong Christians and longtime members of Congress Avenue Baptist Church. Tom was above all, an entrepreneur in business. He worked originally as an engineer for Westinghouse Corporation in Pittsburgh, PA and then as an engineer for the Texas Highway Department in the Bridge Division in Austin, Texas. He soon became friends with the owner of Texas Granite Co., Marble Falls, TX (a division of Cold Spring Granite Co.) and was recruited to work there as sales manager and general manager. The family then moved to Marble Falls and three years later, back to Austin, TX where he started his own company, (Capitol Marble and Granite Co.). He enjoyed discovering new granite quarries and seeing his natural stone projects throughout the U.S. and other countries. He loved to travel and he and Elizabeth traveled all over the world for 20 years after he retired at 60. Tom was a "people person". He cherished his role as Grandpa to his grandchildren: Chelsey Seiders Bryant (married to Vernon Bryant), Tiva Wilson Robson (married to Chris Robson), Chad Seiders (married to Ruthie Mann Seiders), Gregg Frasure (married to Jennifer Engemoen Frasure), Weston Wilson, Scotty Wilson and Elizabeth Wilson. They moved to Lost Creek in Westlake so they could go to the grandchildren's games, recitals and activities. The last 11 years Grandpa enjoyed his great grandchildren: Wilson Bryant, Chandler Bryant, Sallie Ann Seiders, Bridget Bryant, Grant Robson, Katie Seiders, Bowen Robson, Jack Seiders and Townes Frasure. He enjoyed playing golf at Austin Country Club and Lost Creek. Tom also liked hunting and fishing. Tom spent the last few years with Elizabeth living at the Lakeway Summit. She went to Heaven on October 6th, 2009 and he stayed on 3 more months to sing, play dominoes, bingo and continue his "bigger than life" personality as "Big Daddy". He loved the Summit Staff and they loved him. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to The Summit at Lakeway, Wilson Memorial Fund, 1917 Lohman's Crossing, Lakeway, TX 78734. The family would also like to thank The Rev. Dr. Carla Cheatham and the staff of Heart to Heart Hospice for making him comfortable during his last days. Tom, Big Daddy, Grandpa, was a generous, hard working, caring man who will be loved and missed by all of us. Come join the family for a "Mama's" fried chicken lunch beginning at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 10th in the Hospitality Room at Weed-Corley-Fish Lake Travis, 411 Ranch Road 620 South. Funeral services will follow at 2:00 p.m. Chapel. Entombment will follow at Forest Oaks Mausoleum in Oak Hill. Tom's grandsons and grandsons-in-law will serve as his pallbearers.