William Wilson
William Riley (Bill) Wilson was an incredible example of what it means to be a husband, father, brother, uncle, scholar, teacher, and, in his own unique way, a successful entrepreneur. He was born in Cleburne, Texas on May 28, 1931 and went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on December 24, 2018. He is survived by his wife Martha, son Scott and wife Lisa, son Andy, and daughter Madeline Robison and husband Brian; by his beloved grandchildren Leah and Elise Wilson, Amelia (deceased), Ana, Brent and Blake Robison, and by his loved sisters-in law, brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews.
Bill graduated from Adamson High School, attended Austin College, graduated from SMU and Austin Theological Seminary, where he graduated top of his class (M.Div.), which led to the doctoral program at Harvard and then Duke, where he earned his Doctor of Philosophy, Phi Beta Kappa, and James B. Duke Scholar. He was professor of Religion at Duke and SMU, where he met his beloved wife Martha, to whom he was married for 55 years. After he served as Vice-Pres. of Dev. at Austin College, he began his career as a fundraising consultant for over 100 major philanthropies, schools, museums and other non-profits across the country. Above all, he deeply loved his wife and family. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and uncle, and his deep love of family, keen intelligence, love of learning, wit, kindness, generosity, and humility were all examples of a Christian life well-lived.
A memorial service was held January 4 at 4:00 PM at Highland Park Presbyterian Church. Memorial contributions, in lieu of flowers please, may be made to the Center for Brain Health at 2200 W. Mockingbird Ln. Dallas, 75205 or Austin Pres. Theol. Seminary at 100 E. 27th St., Austin, 78705.
