Samuel Woodrow Wilson, 89, passed away on Monday, October 15, 2007. He was born January 16, 1918 in San Saba, Texas, and was the seventh child of Gertrude Speegle and San Saba District Attorney, Arthur Bryson Wilson. Following graduation from San Saba High School, he attended the University of Texas in Austin to follow in his father's footsteps and studied law. Due to the early death of his father, Woodie supported himself by soda-jerking at Meyer's Drug in Austin, Texas There, he met the love of his life, Alice Louise.
On December 20, 1940, he married Alice Louise Murphy of Houston, Texas. With the rumblings of World War II, the couple moved to Houston where Woodie worked for Todd Shipyard. Having a strong desire to "do my duty for my country", he enlisted in the US Navy, serving as a pharmacist mate/X-Ray Technician on the USS Medea. After the war ended, he returned to the University of Texas to study pharmacy. Upon graduation, he was employed for 4 years in La Grange, Texas before buying into the Palacios Pharmacy in 1951. Upon the death of his partner, C.O. Waring in 1958, he became the sole owner until he retired in 1996.
He is preceded in death by his parents, his devoted wife, Alice Louise, his son, Roger D. Wilson and his son-in-law, Dr. James L. Holcomb. He is also preceded in death by his brother and 5 sisters including Mary Frances Lang and Marguerite Kelley.
He is survived by a daughter, Marion Holcomb of East Wenatchee, WA; a daughter-in-law, Geneva K. Wilson of Palacios, 7 grandchildren: Kimberley Cooper and husband Steve of El Campo; Rhonda Huitt and husband Hank of Palacios; Steven Wilson and wife Gina of Danevang; Lori Armatta and husband John of Wadsworth; Jay Holcomb and wife Cindy of Phoenix, AZ; Dwight Holcomb and wife Yana of Los Angeles, CA; and Amy Holcomb of East Wenatchee, WA. He also leaves behind 16 great-grandchildren, two nieces and four nephews including A.B."Art" Lang of Palacios.
Woodie will be remembered by all who knew him as a kind, good man with a tremendous servant's heart. He was devoted to his faith, his family, and his community. When Woodie moved to Palacios, he immediately became active in area activities, having served as Master of the Palacios Masonic Lodge, a member of Arabia Temple Shrine, a charter member of the Bay City Country Club, a member of the Texas Pharmaceutical Association, the National Association of Retail Druggists, and served as a pharmacist consultant for the local hospital and nursing home. He is a former president of the Palacios Chamber of Commerce, and was chosen as Man of the Year in 1991 and as Business of the Year in 1983. He was a member of the Palacios Rotary Club, served on the March of Dimes Board and was treasurer of the Salvation Army for many, many years. He served as president of the Palacios School Board, and gave actively of his time and talents to help everyone around him. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church and served on the Board of Directors for over 40 years.
Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, October 20, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Palacios. Interment will follow at Hawley Cemetery in Blessing. Pastor June White will officiate.
Visitation will be held on Friday evening from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Palacios Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the
First United Methodist Church
209 Lucas