Hon. Judge David V. Wilson passed away peacefully in his sleep, surrounded by family and loved ones on May 31, 2018. A long-time resident of both Polk and Angelina Counties, he was the retired judge of the 217 ^th District Court of Angelina County, Texas. He is survived by his wife, Martha; his children, David and Susan Wilson of Houston, Texas, Sarah and Chad Vier of Lufkin, Texas, Elizabeth & Michael Walker of Magnolia, Texas, Daniel Wilson of Conroe, Texas, Lori Jordan, and Lee Ann Hammond. In addition, he is survived by step-children, Grady and Stephanie Reilly of Livingston, Texas, and Todd Reilly of Madisonville, Texas; along with siblings, Frank and Beth Wilson of Fort Worth, Texas, Kitty and Bill Taylor of Dallas, Texas, Dave and Susie Keith of Pearland, Texas, and Dinny Lucas of Scottsdale, Arizona; as well as sixteen grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his son, Benjamin Andrew Wilson; mother, Virginia Keith; and father, Bassel Wilson.

Wilson was a graduate of Southwestern University, and received his law degree from South Texas College of Law Houston in 1969. After practicing briefly in Houston, he moved to Lufkin, Texas where he soon became the first Justice of the Peace with a law degree in the history of the county. This began a 33 year stint as an employee at the Angelina County Courthouse. In 1975, he was hired by legendary Angelina County District Attorney, Gerald Goodwin as an Assistant District Attorney. In 1977, he was appointed by Texas Governor, Dolph Briscoe to serve as the first judge of the 217 ^th District Court of Angelina County, Texas. He served in that capacity until October 2006, being re-elected numerous times with no opponent. While on the bench, he disposed of an estimated 20,000 cases in his tenure. He presided over two capital murder cases, a medical malpractice case that was later heard by the Supreme Court of Texas and issued a nationally publicized ruling that freed a man from prison four decades after he was convicted.

After retirement, he relocated to Polk County and served as a Senior Judge, hearing assigned cases in various courts from 2006-2017. In addition to his career as a judge, he was known for his penchant for community service. He was a volunteer with the 4-H Clubs of Angelina County, the Angelina County Go Texan Committee of the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, the Angelina County Exposition Center Board, the American Cutting Horse Association Board, the Chancel Choir of First United Methodist Church Lufkin, and many other local organizations.

He will be remembered for his love of family, his devotion to community, and his constant endeavor to do the right thing.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, June 4, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. in the sanctuary of the First United Methodist Church in Lufkin, Texas, with an interment ceremony to take place later that afternoon at 4:00 p.m. at the North Belton Cemetery in Belton, Texas. Anyone wishing to make a donation in his memory is asked to donate to the scholarship funds of Southwestern University or South Texas College of Law Houston.

Pallbearers: Clay Dark, Steve Roper, Bill Kistler, Hon. Joe Ned Dean, George Chandler, Hon. David Walker, Jerry Moore, Mack Coward, Tommy Thompson, Dr. Tom Duncan, Hon. Olan Underwood, Anthony Page, Don Reily, Tru Vu, Curtis Wise, Rafael Cuevas

Cochran Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Please sign our online guestbook at www.cochranfh.com .