Willis Andrew Wilson

Willis A. Wilson, 89, a lifelong resident of Brownsville went home to be with the Lord on March 6, 2009 in the comfort of his home surrounded by his loving family and friends.

Willis is survived by his wife of 58 years, June Wilson; his daughter Marilyn Galvan; his grandchildren Regina Budet Cerda, Danielle Mendoza, David Denton; his brother, Vance Wilson, and nieces and nephews.

Born on September 25, 1919 in Brownsville to William W. Wilson and Kate Wingren Wilson, Willis spent most of his life in Brownsville. He had an interest in radio at an early age when his brothers Walt and Minor built the first radio station in the area KWWG. This inspired Willis to study radio communication during high school and the year following graduation. He passed the exam earning his First Class Commercial broadcast license granted by the FCC in 1937.

Willis landed his first job with a local radio station KGFI and quickly rose to the position of chief radio engineer. Willis moved to Houston for a brief time working for the FCC prior to being drafted into the US Army in 1942. This interest and knowledge of radio broadcasting and installation of radio equipment proved beneficial during the years spent in the Army. His military assignments took him to the Pentagon, Greenland, Guam and many other places around the world where he maintained and installed communication facilities for the armed forces. His most memorable assignment was with the Strategic Air Force in the Pacific stationed out of Guam. Duties included accompanying network war correspondents as they covered the war including the first flyover over the bombed cities of Nagasaki and Hiroshima. He shared many stories and photographs with his family of this historic period he had witnessed.

On November 1, 1946, he returned to Brownsville where he continued to pursue his interest in radio communication and started the radio station KBOR with his brothers Vance and Minor. He and his brothers operated the station for a number of years where he held the position of chief radio engineer. He operated a second business, Rio Grande Communications, along with his sister Gladys, her husband Herb, and nephew Jim DeWalt.

Radio wasnt his only love; his other love was a young school teacher that moved to Brownsville from Oklahoma for her first teaching job. On August 30, 1950, he married the love of his life June Little.

Willis continued to expand his interest in communications and travel. He obtained his private pilot license and developed a love of flying. He was proud of the Beechcraft Bonanza he owned and often traveled with his family to conventions hosted by the Beechcraft Bonanza Society. This love of aviation is what encouraged him to be involved with the Brownsville Airport Advisory Board and the Chamber of Commerce. Willis was also an avid Ham Radio operator who was involved with this form of communication up until the last year of his life.

The family would like to express extreme gratitude to the wonderful staff at Odyssey Health Care hospice, Cassandra Guerrero, Maria Maldonado, Carmen Becerra, the BCF womens group, and the many other family and friends that offered their love and support.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday evening, March 10 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Darling-Mouser Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, March 11, at 10:00 a.m. at Darling-Mouser with burial to follow at Buena Vista Burial Park. Military honors under the under direction of District Commander Luis Lucio with the Veteran of Foreign Wars will conduct military honors at the graveside.
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