Mr. Joseph Clay Wilson

Colonel Joseph C. “Joe” Wilson (U.S. Army, Ret.) passed away peacefully on May 20, 2026. He was 94 years old. He was born on February 16, 1932, at Fort Benning, Georgia, the second of three children born to Ovid O. “Zero” Wilson and Betty Goodloe Wilson.

As the son of a career Army officer, Joe spent his childhood moving among military posts around the world. In 1941, while stationed in the Philippines at Fort McKinley near Manila, the gathering storms of World War II forced the evacuation of Army dependents. Joe, his mother, and his two siblings returned to San Antonio, Texas, to live with his maternal grandmother. During the war, Joe’s father was captured on Bataan, survived the infamous Death March, and endured the sinking of two Japanese POW ships before miraculously returning home. Following his father’s return, the family relocated back to Fort Benning. Joe was class of 1948 at San Antonio’s Central Catholic High School.

Following in the footsteps of his father and older brother, Joe attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, graduating in 1953 and commissioning as an Infantry officer. Joe married his first wife Patricia Webb in 1955 while assigned to Bamburg, Germany. Over a distinguished 29-year military career, he rose to the rank of Colonel before retiring in 1982. His assignments spanned the globe, including Germany, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, Hawaii, the Pentagon, and extensive travel throughout the Far East.

Joe was especially proud of his three assignments with the 101st Airborne Division, earning the distinctions of Combat Infantryman and Master Parachutist. His final assignment brought him full circle back to San Antonio. Joe deeply loved the Army—its customs, traditions, esprit de corps, and lifelong camaraderie—a devotion shared by his father and his brother, Gail, who was tragically killed in action while commanding an infantry battalion in Vietnam in 1967.

After retiring from the military, Joe began a successful second career as a stockbroker with Merrill Lynch in San Antonio. This nearly 20-year tenure allowed him the flexibility to devotedly care for his wife, Pat, during her long recovery from a stroke. He retired for a second time in December 2001.

Joe’s beloved wife, Pat, passed away in 1999 after 44 years of marriage. Together they raised five children who brought Joe enormous pride and joy, eventually blessing him with 12 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. Joe was later fortunate to find love again with Carol Dee West Wilson. Their marriage expanded his family to include Dee’s three children and seven grandchildren, and Joe treasured the close, warm friendship that developed between Dee and his sister, Liz.

In retirement Joe and Dee embraced life to the fullest. They traveled extensively, making six trips to Europe as well as memorable journeys to the Canadian Rockies, Hawaii, and the Caribbean. Closer to home, they enjoyed exploring historic American battlefields. Among Joe’s greatest pleasures were annual reunions with his West Point classmates, weekly poker games, and rounds of golf and tennis with lifelong friends.

Above all, Joe valued family, faith, service, and shared experiences. He lived a life defined by duty, resilience, humor, and a profound sense of gratitude.

He was preceded in death by his first wife Pat and his second wife Dee, his eldest son Joe, and his brother Gail..

Joe’s legacy of love and service lives on through his surviving family: his children and their spouses; Stephen and Nancy Wilson, Jeffrey and Jeannette Wilson, Scott and Scotti Hohensee, and Matt and Michele Packard; his 12 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren; and his sister, Elizabeth Smith.

A private funeral mass will be on July 29th at the Army Residence Community Chapel in San Antonio. Interment with military honors will be on July 30th at Ft Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio. Arrangements are being handled by Porter Loring Mortuaries.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the charity of your choice or to Central Catholic High School.