Francis L. Wilson

Francis Lamar Wilson, 89, of Abilene, died on Friday, July 16th, 2021, in Abilene.

Francis was born in Athens, Georgia, to Floyd Lamar and Carrie Lucile (Asbell) Wilson on March 16, 1932.  He grew up in Cochran, Georgia, raised by his mother with the help of his grandfather, Francis Bartow Asbell.  Rev. Wilson graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Mercer University and a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. While at Southwestern Seminary, he met the love of his life and his partner in ministry, Patsy Ann (Pat) Hutto, whom he married on February 24, 1956, in West Palm Beach, Florida. 

Following his ordination to the ministry in 1952, Rev. Wilson served as a pastor of Southern Baptist churches in Henderson, Troup, Monahans, and Lubbock, Texas, as well as Alamogordo, New Mexico. During that time, Francis served two terms on the Executive Board of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, and a seven-year term as a member of the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention. In the fall of 1988, Francis went to serve as Business Administrator of the Baptist Convention of New Mexico, in Albuquerque, where he remained until his retirement in 2001.  In retirement, Rev. Wilson assisted churches as interim pastor throughout New Mexico as well as Littleton, Colorado and Sitka, Alaska.

Francis enjoyed traveling and camping in the Rockies with family and friends.  In retirement, he began playing the dulcimer and quilting.  He loved spending time with his wife, his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He will be remembered for sharing his love of the Gospel and spending time with Pat, meeting the needs of others while sharing the love of Christ.

Francis was preceded in death by his parents.  He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Pat; children, Terri Godfrey (Tim), Todd Wilson (Michele), and Tracey McNeely (David); grandchildren, Sarah Beckham (Michael), Mackenzie Wilson, Landon Wilson (Katie), Eian McNeely, Zachary Godfrey, and Kiera McNeely; great-grandchildren, Fletcher, Sawyer, and Lincoln Beckham.  He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Sandra Mattox, and his cousin, Ann Clark.

The family would like to thank Lyndale Senior Living, Hendrick Medical Center Anderson Wing 4th Floor nurses and staff, Wesley Court Skilled Nursing, Hospice of the Big Country, and Dr. Anton Melnyk.

Visitation will be 6-8 pm, Thursday, July 29, at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road.

A worship service celebrating his life and ministry will be held at 11:00 am, Friday, July 30, at First Baptist Church, Abilene, with Dr. Phil Christopher officiating.  The service will be streamed live at https://boxcast.tv/view/memorial-service-for-francis-wilson-552727 or fbcabilene.org/media/watchlive.  The family will gather for a private graveside service Friday morning at the Elliott-Hamil Garden of Memories Cemetery. Services are under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road.

Memorial contributions can be made to Hospice of the Big Country (4601 Hartford Abilene, TX 79605) or The Baptist Foundation of New Mexico (P.O. Box 16560 Albuquerque, NM 87191).