Funeral services celebrating the life of Robert B. “Buddy” Wilson, Jr., age 79 of West Monroe, LA will be held at 2:00 PM, Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at Mt. Vernon Baptist Church in West Monroe with Bro. Chad Ballard and Terry Sims officiating. Burial interment will follow at Pleasant Hill Church Cemetery in West Monroe under the direction of Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Ruston, LA.
Buddy was born March 4, 1944 in Mangham, LA to Ella Gilley and Robert Wilson, Sr. and passed away on May 13, 2023 in Ruston. He served his country in the United States Air Force from 1962-1966. During which time, Buddy met and married the love of his life Toni. After his military service, he joined the fire department to serve the people of West Monroe for 33 years and retired as the Chief of Fire Prevention. Buddy was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was a hero to his three daughters and was affectionately known as “Pappa” by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Buddy spent countless hours at the ballpark coaching his daughters and made an impact on the many other players who called him Coach Buddy. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and watching his children and grandchildren play sports. In his later years, Buddy enjoyed gathering around the table on Saturday nights to play cards with his wife, brother-in-law Mark Fraley and sister-in-law Donna Fraley. He never met a stranger, and all who met him loved him. Buddy’s joking nature and playful spirit will forever be remembered. He was preceded in death by his parents R.B. and Ella Wilson; sisters: Margaret Templeton (Claude), Cleo Sisson (James), and Sara Mae Wilson; brother Bobby Wilson; and in-laws Freeman and Pearl Fraley.
Buddy is survived by his wife Toni Wilson; daughters: Susan Trichell (Neil), Sheryl Sims (Terry) and Stephanie Baskin (Jerry); grandchildren: Justin Golson (Sydney), Reid Golson (Maggie), Laynie Hopfinger (Heath), Hallie Sims, Case Sims, Seth Thompson and Cade Thompson; great-grandchildren: Olivia Golson, Nolan Golson, Gage Golson, Pearce Golson, Alaina Golson, Evelyn Golson, Thatcher Hopfinger, Beckett Hopfinger and Wilson Hopfinger; sister-in-law Angie Wilson; many nieces and nephews; and a host of other family and many friends.
Serving as pallbearers will be Justin Golson, Reid Golson, Seth Thompson, Cade Thompson, Case Sims, Luke Fraley and Heath Hopfinger. Honorary pallbearers are the West Monroe Fire Department.
Visitation will be held from 1:00-2:00 PM. Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at the church.
