Billy Burke Wilson

Billy B Wilson, born November 6, 1931 died in Abilene on March 7, 2026.

Billy was born in Amarillo TX and grew up in Blue Ridge TX. Later he moved to Dallas with his mother, Ola Dunn, where he graduated from high school. Billy enlisted in the Navy and served during the Korean War as a photographer stationed in Japan. He returned to Dallas to care for his ailing mother and later graduated from University of North Texas. While in Dallas he met the love of his life, Baylor nursing student Gale Adams, at Gaston Avenue Baptist Church. They married in 1955 at First Baptist Church in Abilene, TX. Following graduation, he and Gale moved to Port Arthur and then El Paso where he taught school and worked as an athletic trainer. In 1960, they moved to Midland, TX, where he was the first athletic trainer for Lee High School. Billy and Gale had 3 daughters in Midland, Amy, Jill, and Ellen. In 1971, the family moved to Huntsville, TX, where Billy was the Head Athletic Trainer for Sam Houston State University, retiring in 1991. Billy and Gale returned to Abilene, Gale's home town, in 2010 and joined the Mesa Springs Retirement Village.

Billy loved sports, especially golf, and even hit two holes-in-one during his lifetime! He also became very proficient at crafting custom golf clubs for himself and his family. He was also a big fan of football and college basketball.

Billy is survived by his wife of 70 years, Gale Adams Wilson, daughters Amy Wilson Thorpe (and husband Gary Thorpe), Jill Adell Wilson (and husband Donn Schaefer), Ellen Wilson Stout (and husband Mark Stout). Also grandchildren Jimmy Thorpe and Allison Thorpe Rodriguez (and husband Juan Rodriguez), and great-granddaughters Grace Ann and Joy Lynn Rodriguez.