Wallace Stedman Wilson

Wally was born on the 5th of June 1929, as a fourth generation Houstonian and felt great pride in his heritage. He attended The Kinkaid School and graduated from Deerfield Academy in 1947, and from Yale University in 1951 with a degree in Economics. At Yale, he was a member of the St. Elmo fraternity and Saybrook College.

He served in the Air Force during the Korean War for two years and was promoted to 1st Lieutenant; then went into the ‘Ready Reserves’ for four years during which he was promoted to Captain.

In 1953, he joined Wilson Supply Company, which was founded in 1921 by his father, Wallace D. Wilson, one of the early pioneers in the oilfield supply business. Wally helped expand the company both domestically and internationally and became President in 1964, at the age of thirty-five. He was well known for his creative, innovative thinking and desire for his company to expand and grow through acquisitions and diversification, while providing great service. He is best known for his strong belief that ‘the Customer is King’ and for his loyalty and affection for his employees. He held the positions of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Wilson Industries, Inc. from 1980 until the company merged with Smith International, Inc. in 1998 and was later sold to Schlumberger in 2010.

His favorite hobbies were ranching in South Texas, genealogy, and spending time with his many friends. He researched and wrote a genealogy book about his family tree of Wilson ancestors going back to the 1600s titled ‘Look What Christopher and Jane Started…’ One of his favorite past-times was hunting quail and dove on the ‘Rancho Isabela.’ He was also very interested in art and was an avid collector of photography. Wally had a gift for making friends and remained in touch with old college pals while continuing to form new friendships into his later years.

He was a member of the Board of Directors of the First City National Bank, Keystone International, Howell Corporation, and Smith International. He was active in many of the energy industry associations including the Petroleum Equipment Suppliers Association, the American Petroleum Institute, and the Texas Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association. In 2022, he was inducted into the National Association of Steel Pipe Distributors Hall of Fame.

Wally was devoted to serving the community, and some of his most notable activities included the following: Trustee of the Baylor College of Medicine, the Texas Heart Institute, and the Texas Medical Center. He was also a founding trustee of the Texas Children’s Hospital Foundation, Houston Symphony Society, Yale Art Gallery Board and Glenwood Cemetery.

Beyond his many accomplishments, Wally will be remembered by those who knew him for his warm smile, his friendly and courteous manner, his integrity and character, and his profound kindness and generosity.

Wally was a member of the Bayou Club, Houston Country Club, the Coronado Club, Allegro, the Philosophical Society of Texas, The Young President’s Organization, The Yale Club of New York, The Eagle Lake Rod and Gun Club, The Old Baldy Club of Wyoming, The Senior Wisdom Society, and The Associated Thirty.

Wally was preceded in death by his parents, Wallace Daniel and Elizabeth Barry Wilson; as well as his first wife, Mary Link Malone; and his second wife, Isabel Brown Wilson.

In addition to his current wife, Jeanie Kilroy Wilson, he is survived by his son, Wallace Barry Wilson of Austin; his daughter, Dr. Ellen Elizabeth Wilson and her husband Andrew Thomas Hewes; and granddaughter, Brookie Wilson Hewes all of Dallas. He is also survived by two stepchildren, Travis Allison Mathis and his wife Bettina of Austin, and William Nelson Mathis and his wife Lisa of Houston; four step-grandchildren, Maria Mathis-Kruser, Madelline Mathis, William B. Mathis, and Nelson B. Mathis; and longtime family associates, Benita Cruz, Vicente Molina, and Kathy Rothman.

Special thanks go to Dr. James Pool at Baylor College of Medicine, Dr. James Muntz at the University of Texas at Houston, Dr. Eugene Lai at Methodist Hospital, and Dr. Lemley and nurse Martina at Houston Hospice.

In addition, his family gives special thanks to his caregivers Steven Obinna, Diego Perez, Henry Rovira, Julian Silva, and Noe Santos who provided tremendous support and steadfast care until the end of his life.

A memorial service is to be conducted at half-past eleven o’clock in the morning on Thursday, the 22nd of January in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

Immediately following the service all are invited to greet the family during a reception to be held in the adjacent grand foyer.

On a separate occasion the family will gather for a private interment at Glenwood Cemetery in Houston.

Honoring Mr. Wilson and serving as pallbearers will include Brookie W. Hewes, Maria Mathis-Kruser, Madelline Mathis, William B. Mathis, and Nelson B. Mathis. Serving as honorary pallbearers are Secretary James A. Baker, III, Andrew T. Hewes, Edward S. McCullough, Dee Osborne, Risher Randall, Mike S. Stude.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family suggests memorial contributions be directed to The Baker Institute at 6100 Main Street, Baker Hall MS-40, Suite 120, Houston, Texas 77005, The Yale Art Gallery at 111 Chapel Street, New Haven, Connecticut 06510-2301, or to the charity of one’s choice.

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