Lt Col Richard Leon Wilson (USAF RET)
September 10, 1947 ~ July 12, 2014
LT COL RICHARD LEON WILSON (USAF RET)
Richard Leon Wilson, a resident of New Braunfels, passed away on Saturday, July 12, 2014 at the age of 66. Richard was born on September 10, 1947 in Ravenna, Ohio to James Wilson and Lucille Arnold.
Richard graduated from Ohio University in 1969 with a BS of Music. On June 14, 1969 he married his high school sweetheart Janice Hambrick. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force on August 3, 1970 as a percussion player. After two years of service he was selected for Officer Candidate School and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant. He proceeded to pilot training and became a C-130 pilot.
After a battle with ALS, Richard lost his first wife Janice on November 27, 1990. Together they had four children: Richard, Nathan, Andrea and Thad. On July 12, 1991 he married the second love of his life Marsha Waters. Marsha brought six children into the family: Jennifer, Phillip, Doug, Craig, Michael and Emily. This union created an amazingly dynamic family.
Richard retired from active duty on August 31, 1994 as a Lieutenant Colonel. He then returned to his love of music and served as the Band Director of Randolph High School from 1995 2009.
Richard is preceded in death by first wife Janice Wilson and daughter Jennifer Lisonbee. He is survived by his wife Marsha Wilson and nine children Richard Wilson (Rita), Phillip Lisonbee (Angela), Nathan Wilson (Jennifer), Doug Lisonbee (Jane-Marie), Craig Lisonbee, Andrea Wilson, Michael Lisonbee (Ashley), Thad Wilson (Ana), and Emily Bullock (James); and nineteen grandchildren Clarissa, Tyler, Isabel, Alexis, Addison, Taylor, Desma, Jenni, Ellie, Helaman, Hattie, Ella, Mia, Aiden, Andrew, Jake, Isaiah, Gavin and Daniel; brothers Jim Wilson (Linda), Ted Wilson (Jennifer), and sister Mary Williams.
Visitation with the family will be held from 10:00 am to 11:00 am on Thursday, July 17, 2014 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1390 Hanz Dr. in New Braunfels. The funeral service will follow at 11:00 am. Interment will follow with full military honors at 1:45 pm at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to the ALS Association, 8600 Wurzbach Road Suite 700, San Antonio, TX 78240 or www.alsa-texas.org.
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Marsha & Family, May your sweet memories of Mr. Wilson comfort you all now and in the years to come. Share them with all and he will be with you all always. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and the family.
So many wonderful memories of time shared and enjoyed. Holding your family up in prayer.
Although I left Randolph before Mr. Wilson became the band director, I had several friends that always spoke highly of him and I know the loss of any Rohawk affects us all. I am sorry for your loss and will keep all of you in my thoughts and prayers. Sincerely, Amy Dunda Rodriguez
Mr. Wilson was an inspiration to so many people. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and many Randolph students who loved and respected him beyond words.
Vickie and I wish to extend our sincere condolences to the Wilson family. We knew him mostly from his position as band director, but that only scratches the surface of who this man truly was. I spent several hours talking with him about our active city days and sharing the ‘good life’. He had his eyes set on the right target–always. Your family was richly blessed. Thank you for allowing us to share some of his life.
Highschool was a very trying time for me until I found my outlet. Band. Thank you so much Mr. Wilson for pushing me and reminding me of what I am capable of. You will truly be missed by many!
Mr. Wilson was an extraordinary man. He had a wonderful balance of drive, patience, and humor, with the absolute expectation that each of us showed up ready to give 110%. I absolutely loved him as a teacher and had the utmost respect for him. This man will live on in the lives of those he taught, forever. His impact was permanent. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. May God grant peace during this difficult time.
To the Wilson family, we ask the LORD to comfort you during your time of grief. Mr. Wilson was an amazing band leader. It was a privilege to work with him during our sons time at Randolph High. He made an impact on so many, and inspired the kids to do so much more. Our hearts are with you. Love Clark & Gail Fooshee
Mr. Wilson thank you for teaching my daughter Emily and son Evan. You gave them gift of music, leadership, friendship, teamwork, and the drive to excel. Most importantly you care and love them. I will always be indebted to you for being the teacher and friend my children needed. Not goodbye, but see you in the future when we are all in heaven. Very respectfully, Ed Blauvelt, SMSgt, USAF (ret)
I went to 3 different high schools and had three different band directors. Mr Wilson was far and away my favorite. He was not only a great teacher, but a patriot and wonderful human being. Rest easy Lt Col Wilson. We’ll take it from here. God bless you and your family. –Major Sarah Stewart-Abel, Class of 1996
Dick was one of the most inteesting colleagues I ever had. He was a friend and an asset to many people. He respected educaton.RIP and my sympathy to his family.
A great person who impacted many, many lives.
I had the opportunity to play under many instructors as a band student through middle/high school and college and no one ever held a candle to Mr. Wilson. He was an absolute inspiration to us all and I will never forget the three years I spent as part of the Randolph Ro-Hawk marching and concert bands. He taught me to be better player, person and team member. Rest in peace Mr. Wilson- Play on! Prayers and condolences to his family and friends. I know he will be dearly missed.
Sending condolences at this hard time. I was the first drum major he picked in his second year. He always saw potential in students that they don’t see themselves.
We send our sincere condolences and pray that God helps you through this hard time of loss. We thank you for sharing Mr Wilson with us. After speaking with him we decided to switch our children to RFISD for the great band he directed. He was a wonderful Band Director. He will be missed.
Our hearts are saddened by your loss and our thoughts and prayers are with you. May God continue to give you and your family strength. RIP Mr. Wilson
I’m so sorry for your loss. Mr. Wilson was my band director from 1999 to 2002. Some of my favorite memories are from first period band. Mr. Wilson always made class fun and marching in the horrendous Texas heat enjoyable. Not only was he an exceptional teacher, but a wonderful mentor and a kind man. He always treated me as an adult, which in high school seldom happens. He was a special person, and it saddens me to hear he has passed. Mr Wilson has impacted my life, and many of my friends. His legacy will live on within his students.
Our Condolences….May God Bless Your Family during this hard time.
Mr. Wilson was the best band director I ever had. He taught more than music–he taught me how to be a person of integrity while still having fun! You will be missed sir.
Mr. Wilson was an inspiration to so many of his students and allowed them to unlock potential they didn’t know they had. When I arrived in Texas as a budding 7th grade violinist, Mr. Wilson saw that I had no orchestra outlet at Randolph Middle/High and proceeded to create one for me. Not only did he assist me in auditioning for The Youth Orchestras of San Antonio, but he worked tirelessly to incorporate a violinist into the band. I don’t know of any other band director that would have done that, but that was who Mr. Wilson was. He was extremely devoted to his students and wanted to pass his passion for music onto them. He impacted many lives during his teaching career, and he will be greatly missed.
Love this family. Many years of good memories. Dick Wilson made an impact and left an impression on many. Nathan was an amazing musician like his father and a great friend. Xo
Thoughts to family and friends. Dick was wonderful to work with at Randolph, he will be missed
My condolences to Mr. Wilson’s family. May you all be happy to know that he has influenced so many young people in his lifetime. He will be dearly missed, but never forgotten.
Our deepest sympathies go out to the family of our friend Dick Wilson. Our connection through the RHS Band and our AF life goes back over 40 years. He will be missed by all those that he touched. Mike, Sherrill, Brian, and Allison (Vizzone) Postell.
Mr. Wilson’s memory and legacy will live on in all those he touched and inspired, including our family. He was not only our band director, but he taught us all to dream big and he encouraged us to live life to our fullest potential, even if that potential hadn’t been realized yet. He’s been one of the most influential people in our lives, not only through music but in every aspect of life and we are truly and greatly indebted to him. Our condolences and deepest sympathies go out to his family, friends and loved ones. The Ona Family Rene, Helen, JR, Jolyn and Rod-J
Rest in Peace Mr. Wilson. My family will miss you very much. We’re blessed to have known you. Sending wishes of God’s Blessings and Sincere Sympathy to the Wilson family. From the Holland Family Raymond, Sharon, and Raymond II
Marsha , I’m so sorry for your loss. My life and my girls lives have ben enriched for knowing Mr Wilson . He will be greatly missed but always remembered through the music he taught our kids . Our prayers are you and your family . Irma
We will dearly miss this gifted teacher, friend, and mentor. Our lives were immensely touched because his talents and heart were shared with his students and their families. Good fortune fell upon us when his path happened to cross ours, and in our casefor eight fabulous years at Randolph High. Thank you, Mr, Wilson, for the tutorship of music that you bestowed upon our daughters. They are better and greater citizens because of the countless patient hours you devoted to inspiring them, nudging them along in your gentle way, on their education and marching skills. We will miss you fondly, Mr, Wilson, but be assured that you live on in the minds and hearts of your students. You leave a legacy of a role model worth preserving and emulating. Our deepest condolences to Marsha and the family. Thank you for sharing your beloved husband and father with us. He gave us much and for that we are grateful. ~ Paul and Tonia Shannon
Dick Wilson touched many lives, students and parents as well. I was his vice president in the RoHawk Band Parents. When he became band director, I was his first band parent president. We worked on many issues/projects (new concession stand) for the band. We had three children who were his band students. Our son came home and told me the following story; The first time Dick had the band play our National Anthem, he stopped them (apparently it wasn’t very good). He began telling them about what the song really meant. How many of his friends had died for our flag and that song. He was crying as he talked with the band. Afterwards when the band play the National Anthem it was totally different-you could feel the pride not just from the students individually, but how it flowed through their music. Everytime I heard and here the band play I think of Dick. He was not just a band director and teacher, he was a true patriot who showed others about pride in country, school, and themselves. Wilson family, know we are praying for you during this difficult time. Jimmy and Tricia Cornelius
Michael Lisonbee and family, Please accept my deepest condolences for your family’s loss.
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. Richard will be missed by many. He was an incredible teacher and a great person. I will miss our weekly visits and all the stories of all his life adventures. Rest in peace good man, you will be missed.
Dick was an all around great guy! I was honored to call him a colleague of mine, but I too learned so much from him! He was a blast to be around and just a wealth of information! May God wrap his arms around his family and comfort them during this time.
Marsha and family, my prayers are with all of you. Mr. Wilson, I know you have been welcomed into our Lord’s rest. I wanted to write and thank you for being who you are. You came into my life as I was struggling in my faith and as a teenager searching for purpose and identify. You taught me how to be self motivated and how to achieve. To set goals and to reach them always striving for better! But to enjoy the simple things and celebrate the great. You taught me and so many others to develop our talents, show them and bless others with them. You were more than a band director. You were a mentor, a leader, and a father figure to me in many ways. Even years later, when I occasionally visited RHS and band events, I could see your growing legacy in each student. You were an example that to this day I think of and measure my actions against. God bless you my friend and may we one day be reunited where I hope to be able to play in your band again!
God bless and keep you, Dick Wilson. Love and prayers to you and your family. Randolph Field ISD will forever be better because of you.
A wonderful man who was a friend. His life touched so many lives during his military service and many many more as he inspired young people to do their best and expect great results. He will be missed but he also lives on in the hearts of all he touched.
Dick- I will miss your great sense of humor and your friendship. RIP. Condolences to the Wilson family. The Band world will miss him.
Wish we could be there for you Nate. Love you.
Andrea and family, I wish there were words of comfort at this time of sorry in your lives. Please know he is not gone, he just away and still with you in spirit. Our prayers and thoughts are with you. Love you, Gilbert & Ruthie Gonzales
Andrea, so sorry puff daddy Wilson has left your family. He will be looking down on you and Ella. Big hugs to you. Xo, evy
I’m very sorry for the loss of such a kind, talented, and generous man. I remember the first time I came to the band hall with a backpack almost the size of my whole body and how Mr. Wilson made me feel less small. Throughout middle and high school, the band hall was always a refuge because Mr. Wilson treated us like people first and kids second. I didn’t realize at the time the value or enormity of a gift like that, but I’ve held on to it all these years. Mr. Wilson never expected us to be the best, he just inspired us to do our best. Rest in peace.
Andrea Sorry to hear about your loss. Prayers for you and your family
I wish I could be there for the funeral, but I cannot make it. I owe Mr. Wilson so much for all that he did for me. I think everybody who knew him feels the same. I know he will be smiling down on everybody from above. God bless.
We will always remember Mr. Wilsons love of music and the way he inspired the students at Randolph to work hard and give their best. He touched the lives of so many and will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Our thoughts and prayers for strength and comfort go out to his family and friends.
I am so very sorry to learn of Dick’s death. He was a wonderful example of integrity and faith for the Randolph family. May God’s healing hand touch your hearts.
we salute thee randolph high band member 70-76. go hawks.
My condolences and prayers for the family. May he rest in peace. He will be truly missed. I remember him from middle school band. He was an amazing guy. He made an impact on many life’s including mine. I love you.
I am so sorry I am unable to be there in person to offer my condolences. Dick was such a special person, one in a million. My thoughts and prayers go out to Marsha and his family.
Alton Sr & I would like to express our thoughts and prayers during your loss of Mr. Wilson, he taught our Children Alton II/Natasha Srs 2008 & 2009 so much about Music and more about life, we will truly miss him. The Rawls Family Randolph High School Alums & Parents Alton Sr & Teresa
The world was such a wonderful place at Randolph when Mr Wilson came to be the Band Director. I worked there for seven years. He was my “secret santa” one year. He will be missed!!!
I’m sure there’s very little I can say that hasn’t already been said. I didn’t know Mr. Wilson long, but I know that he had a profound influence on who I became, as a musician, a soldier, and a human being. I am grateful to have learned from him. He will be missed.
My prayers and condolences to the Wilson family. May GOD bring you peace in this difficult time.
He was a mentor and fun brother. Love you all.
We are really sorry to hear of this. Dick was one of the best and it was very obvious that his students loved him. We will miss his calls to the Hill Country to let us know of possible bad weather. Bill & Bev Harrell
My heart sank when I heard this tragic news. Regrettably I am unable to attend the service. Mr. Wilson touched so many lives and his passion for music was unlike any other. He taught me so many things and was always a delight to be around. God Bless his family.
Mikey I am so sorry. I will pray for you and your family. your friend lucy
Our deepest sympathies go out to Marsha and the Wilson family. Apologies that we couldn’t make his funeral; our thoughts and prayers are with you. Mr. Wilson was a blessing to us and we are so proud and honored to have known him. He was truly a remarkable individual that made an impact in his band students. His name and the memories that he left us will always be part of our family. We have many memories of Mr. Wilson, but one that stands out is when KENS 5 news gave him the EXCEL award. He was interviewed on TV and talked about the success with Randolph students. He said that in the back of his mind, he felt like he needed to come back into music. He said he wanted the kids to know that they can be successful because this success leads to other successes. The anchor lady stated that for 24 years Mr. Wilson was flying high in the skies as a pilot, and now it was the marching band that was flying high under his direction. No doubt Richard Wilson’s songs of success will play through those students’ minds forever. Today as he is laid to rest, we dedicate the song, “I’ll Play for You†by Jimmy Seals and Dash Crofts. May he rest in peace and may our paths cross again in heaven. Mingo, Mary, & Daniel Alderete and Jessica Bracamonte and Alexis Joseph.
Andrea & Ella, Please accept our most heartfelt sympathies for your lossour thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time.
There aren’t words to describe his influence on so many lives. Thank you Mr. Wilson for believing in every student and getting them to believe in themselves. My thoughts and prayers are with the Wilson family. Thank you for sharing your husband/father with the students at RHS. His ability to inspire can’t be overstated.
Keeping the family in our thoughts.
I wasn’t one of his students, but he was a mentor. He always pushed his students, no matter what level they were to do their best. My prayers are with you Wilson family. May he rest in peace
Dear Thad, So very sorry for the loss of your Dad. My heart is sad for you. Warmest regards, Betty Coble (third grade teacher)
Dick and I were roommates at Ohio U. He was Best Man at my wedding on 12:13:69. We lost connection along the way when he moved while in the USAF and I was doing the Corporate ladder moves. Wish we could have connected sooner. Prince of a guy!
Dick Wilson was the finest military officer and the best pilot I knew. He was brilliant in every sense of the word and capable of great success in everything he undertook. Under pressure he was a rock and at other, less stressful times, he was absolutely hilarious. I treasure our 1,000 hours together chasing typhoons across the Pacific. He had a positive impact on my life and I will always hold him in the highest regard. He will be missed.
To the Wilson Family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Both my children were in Randoph’s band and were taught by Mr Wilson. He was a great man. Sincerely the Allen Family
I just found out today about your loss. I went to High School with dick. You have my deepest sympathy.
Just heard about the passing of Dick Wilson. Went to high school and played football with him. A great guy, God Bless his family in their loss.
How wonderful to read the outpouring of love and praise and accolades that came to Dick at other seasons of his life. I knew him from our high school years; quiet but funny. Always a gentle person. To Dick!s wife and extended family, so very sorry for your loss.
Just heard of Dick’s untimely death. He was such a great guy! Went to high school with Dick, and enjoyed many memories, being in the band with him. Was pleased to have Dick and Marsha spend an evening in my home a couple of years ago. My deepest sympathy to Marsha and family. Dick will be missed!!
Just this week a high school friend notified us of Dick’s passing. I have not kept in touch over the years, but I do remember what a fun, friendly guy Dick was in school. He put Rootstown, OH on the world map with his successful military career. I am sorry that I never had the opportunity to thank him for his service to our country. My prayers and condolences to his family.
My sincere sympathy to Dick’s entire family. He was a great guy! I met Dick when I moved to Rootstown in 6th grade and was in orchestra and band with him. I admired his skill with drums and just about any other percussion instrument. He was always kind, funny and generous with compliments. He will be missed by all who had the pleasure to know him.