Roger Glynn Willson, of Brookesmith, Texas, passed peacefully on January 8, 2024, at the age of 69, after a long battle with Multiple Sclerosis.
Roger was born to Harry Glynn and Dorothy Ann (Tuttle) Willson, on April 13, 1954, in Brownwood, Texas. He was the second of 3 sons, along with older brother John Phillip (Phil) and younger brother Paul. The Willson brothers were well known for their wild antics, hot tempers, and hard work.
Roger attended school in Brownwood throughout his childhood and graduated from Brownwood High School in 1972. He worked as a farm hand for Red McBee throughout his adolescence and then for Leon Williams as a John Deere mechanic during high school. He credited these men, along with his father Glynn, for teaching him the value of hard work and held them in the highest regard throughout his life. Roger followed in his father’s footsteps and began working for the Sante Fe Railroad in 1974, where he would spend almost 20 years as a conductor. He also attended John Deere TECH school in Ft. Worth and had his own tractor repair business for over 40 years. Roger was well-known throughout central Texas for being able to fix anything on a green and yellow machine.
Roger married Pamela Sue Thomas on December 1, 1974. Daughter Alissa was born in 1980 and son Jonathan in 1982. Many happy years followed enjoying dance recitals, birthdays, school events, vacations and kids’ sports. Roger and Pam suffered the stillbirth of twins in 1996, but in perhaps their greatest adventure, they traveled to Russia to bring adopted twins, Daria and Anthony, home to Texas in 1998. They moved from Brownwood to Brookesmith and had the challenge of being parents with grown teens while starting over again with babies. This was a very joyful time for Roger and Pam.
Roger’s family grew in love over the years. Alissa and husband Bill Downing reside in Lubbock, as does Anthony. Jonathan and wife Jolynn reside in Brookesmith and have 3 children, Kayleigh, Garrett and Wyatt. Daria also resides in Brookesmith and has two children, Brooklyn and Liam. Being “Pawpaw” to his grandchildren was one of Roger’s greatest joys in his later years.
Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2001, Roger spent two decades battling, as this disease slowly took away his ability to walk and work on his beloved tractors. Never able to abide idleness, his greatest frustration was that his body would not let him work as hard as his will demanded. Even when his strength failed him, friends still called to get his advice on their tractors, which greatly sustained him. The family fondly remembers how neighbors and friends would continue to call and visit Roger at his shop daily, keeping him engaged in his community and checking in on his safety. They want you to know that this meant the world to Roger and Pam.
As Roger’s MS progressed, he entered full-time care at Songbird Lodge nursing home in 2022. Losing his wife of 48 years shortly followed by his brother Phil in 2023, was a blow he never fully recovered from. He appreciated the staff that took such great care of him (even if he was ornery at times) as well as the people who continued to visit him weekly. In his final days, Roger was surrounded by his brother, children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, surrogate kids, and friends who came from near and far to reminisce and share stories. It was a wonderful way to go.
A memorial service for Roger Willson will be held on Friday, January 19, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at Blaylock Funeral Home Chapel.
