Keith Eldon Wilson

Mr. Wilson was born in Kensington, Kansas on June 16, 1926 to Ernest and Edith Wilson. He attended high school in Sweetwater, Texas. After graduation he joined the navy and served for two years during World War II. Upon his honorable discharge from the Navy, he began his career in the oil fields, which spanned over forty years. His gregarious nature and 6’2” height earned him the nickname of “Daddy Longlegs” from his co-workers. At retirement, Mr. Wilson and his wife, Rubilea, moved to Lehigh Acres, Florida. On October 1, 2013, after the death of his wife, Mr. Wilson moved to Tyler to be with his family.

Mr. Wilson was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of thirty-eight years, Rubiela Hamilton Wilson; brother, Kenneth Wilson; sisters, Bonnie Ervin and Ernestine Dismuke and his only son, Randal Keith Wilson.

Survivors include daughters, Kathy Hayden and husband, Jon of Tyler, Suzy Duncan and husband, Joel of Urbandale, Iowa; stepdaughter, Deena Brown and husband, Rick of Illinois; stepson Alan Beard and wife, Sue of Illinois; brother Bob Wilson and wife, Betty of Irving, Texas; sister, Evelyn Evans of Snyder, Texas; grandchildren Eric Quinn, Keith Wilson, Paul Wilson, Ashley Willard and Warren Duncan; six great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family thanks the staff members of ContinueCare Hospital who elected to treat Mr. Wilson with dignity, respect, and loving compassion. The family also thanks all the staff at The Hospice of East Texas for their wonderful care and tenderness in helping Keith and his family during this difficult time.

Mr. Wilson’s family extends its deepest sympathy to those who never had the opportunity to know this great man with the ready smile, gentle nature and twinkle in his eyes.

Your road, you shall follow it

Your truth, you shall learn it

Your own death, you shall endure it

-Dag Hammarskjold

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM, Monday, March 31, 2014 at Tyler Memorial Funeral Home, 12053 State Highway 64 West, Tyler; with visitation one hour prior to service. Interment will follow at Tyler Memorial Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be directed to The Hospice of East Texas, 4111 University Dr., Tyler, TX 75701.

Tyler Memorial Funeral Home and Cemetery is entrusted with the arrangements.