May 12, 1926-May 21, 2018
B. J. Wilson was born May 12, 1926 and passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family May 21, 2018 at the age of 92.
B. J. was born in Bakersfield, CA to Fred and Thelma Fishering. Growing up as an only child on an oil lease in Bakersfield, she developed a special lifelong bond with her aunts and cousins. She was an accomplished horseback rider and talked fondly of riding horses along the Panorama Bluffs. She also enjoyed dancing and tennis in her youth. She graduated from Kern County High School in 1944.
Shortly after finishing high school, B. J. moved to San Francisco, CA. where she hoped to better support the war effort while being close to her grandparents who lived in Oakland, CA. It was there that she had a chance meeting with the man who would become the love of her life, John (Jocko) Wilson. In February 1946, after a brief courtship, they secretly married and embarked on their splendid sixty-six yearlong adventure.
While living in San Francisco, Betty became a medical assistant. She and Jocko had two daughters: Smoki and Kim. The family then moved to Marinwood, Ca. and a son, John Jr. was born in San Rafael.
B. J. and her family moved back to Bakersfield shortly thereafter and she was employed as a medical assistant for the next 25 years. After retirement B. J. and Jocko became ardent United States and world travelers, enjoying many trips to many different countries. In their later years they limited their travels mainly to central and northern California but continued their love of travel until shortly before Jocko's passing in 2012.
Betty loved the Seventh-day Adventist faith, the church, and the local Seventh-day Adventist School, Bakersfield Academy.
She was preceded in death by her husband John (Jocko) Wilson, her father and mother, Fred and Thelma Fishering, and many beloved aunts and cousins.
She is survived by her three children, Smoki (Chuck) Bikakis, Kim (Gary) Wilson, and John (Debbie) Wilson, as well as three grandchildren, and six great grandchildren.
Visitation will be held Friday, May 25 at Hillcrest Memorial Park, 9101 Kern Canyon Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93306 from 2:00-5:00 P.M. A memorial service follows at 5:00 P.M. B. J. will be interred at the Bakersfield National Cemetery with her beloved husband.
