JERRY LEWIS WILSON, 83, born April 12, 1942 to
Glynn and Mildred Wilson in Inglewood, CA. Although
he wasn't born in Texas he got here as quick as possible
and after a short time in Carbon, TX, his family settled
in Ranger. He was a 1960 graduate of Ranger High School
where he played basketball and also attended Ranger
College. After a short time in Lubbock at Texas Tech,
he returned to make Ranger, TX his permanent home until
he passed away on Oct. 12, 2025 in Abilene, TX on hospice
care, with burial at Bullock Cemetery near Ranger.
Over the years, Jerry filled many roles. Oilfield business
owner, family dairy operator, scale operator at various
cow auctions in the area, general handy man with anything
that needed fixed, and so much more. Of all of these, his
most prized occupation was being a farmer. He took great
pride in baling hay at whatever time of day was necessary
to make the best bale. At times he was known to bale hay
at 1 or 2 o'clock in the morning to provide his customers
a good bale that was such a heavy bale that you could
hardly put your hand through and it would not squat. Of
his many strengths, one that many people valued was his
ability to solve problems on the go. He seemed to pride
himself in finding solutions to everyday problems in the
farm and ranch business, which is what made him Jerry!
The words "it can't be done" were not in his vocabulary.
Jerry was a man who exemplified an unbelievable work ethic
and never missed an opportunity to use his quick wit to
add a little laughter to any situation.
He was a great father, great husband, a very good son, a
very good grandfather, and a good friend to so many!
Preceded in death by his wife Betsy Wilson, parents Glynn
& Mildred Wilson, and sister Glynda Wilson Bond (RHS-1963),
Jerry was loved by so many and will be greatly missed by
all who knew him.
Jerry left a long legacy of family in the Ranger, TX area.
Jerry is survived by two brothers, Glynn Allan Wilson (RHS-
1968) of Stephenville, and Jimmy Don Wilson (RHS-1974) of
Ranger, a daughter Shelly Wilson Woods (RHS-1984) of Abilene,
sons David Wilson and wife DawnAnn of Stephenville, Whit
Wilson (RHS-2002) and wife Jammie (RHS-2002) of Neveda,
and Mat Wilson (RHS-2006) and wife Jakki (EHS-2008) of
Ranger, eight grandchildren, 8, soon to be 9 great-grand-
children, and numerous extended family members.
WIFE: BETSY MALLIE JOHNSON WILSON passed
away on June 29, 2022.
Betsy was born Mallie Elizabeth Johnson in Coleman,
TX to Maurice & Maxine Johnson. She graduated from
Merkel high school in 1972. She graduated from
Tarleton State University with a Bachelors of Science
in Nursing, RN in 1981. She married Jerry Wilson in
Oplin TX in March of 1982. They lived on a farm and
ranch in Ranger, TX for the next 40 years. They had
two sons Whit and Mat. Betsy worked as a RN and head
nurse at the Ranger Hospital and then at Eastland
Memorial Hospital for 30 years; retiring in 2015.
Even after retirement she maintained her nursing
license as well as becoming a licensed personal
trainer.
She enjoyed working outside on her garden & flowerbeds
as well as spending time with her dogs. She was a
member of the Teha Lanna Chapter of Daughters of the
American Revolution and the George B. Erath Chapter
of the United Daughters of the confederacy.
Betsy is preceded in death by her parents Maurice &
Maxine Johnson.
Betsy is survived by her husband Jerry, son Whit and
his wife Jammie, son Mat and his wife Jakki, their
daughter Haylen and son Landen, sister Mary and her
husband Bill, niece Marci Wright and her husband
Todd, their daughters Morgan and Maryanne, niece Jo
Johnson and her husband Heath, their daughter Averi
and son Carston. She is also survived by her Uncle
Lowell Johnson, her cousins Eddie Johnson, Cindy
Harper, Chris Johnson and Tonya Epwright, stepson
David Wilson and his wife DawnAnn, their daughter
Rebecca and son Reese, her stepdaughter Shelly Woods
and her daughters Kandyce, Katherine, Kassie, and
eight great-grandchildren.