Richard James Wilson

Richard James Wilson, 71, went home to his Lord March 19, 2018, at St. Mary's Regional Medical Center in Russellville, Arkansas. He was born January 21, 1947, in Little Rock, Arkansas at Trinity Hospital. He was the son of Raleigh and Martha Wilson and was raised in Little Rock, where he graduated from Central High School in 1965. He attended Bob Jones University in Greenville, SC and was a life-long Baptist. He enlisted in the US Army and served state-side for two years. After his military service he was employed many years by International Paper Company, gaining a position as an extruder foreman while working at both the Pine Bluff and Texarkana plants. Richard moved back to Pine Bluff in 1973, and at that time, along with his two uncles, Jim and David Bubbus, opened the first Chicken Country restaurant, which became a very successful franchise. After many successful years as a restauranteur, Richard's next venture was Wilson Motor Company in Pine Bluff, located on Highway 79 South. After years in the car industry, family led him to move to Russellville. At this juncture of his career, he converted the car business into CJ's Butcher Boy Burgers. His store became the model for what is now known as David's Burgers. Richard had a passion for Harley Davidson motorcycles, as well as a Corvette enthusiast. He was preceded in death by his father, Raleigh Wilson. He is survived by his loving wife, Denise Wilson; his mother, Martha Wilson Brooks; daughters, Dee Ann Snyder and Courtney Wilson; sons and daughter-in-law, Keith and Jennifer Wilson, and Tim Smith; brothers and sister-in-law, Steve and Dottie Wilson, and Rhett Wilson; along with eight grandchildren, Hayden, Lauren, Brennen, and Brynley Wilson, Mason and Tristan Snyder, Jalyne and Jackson Smith. There is a multitude of cousins, aunts, uncles, and a host of friends, which he truly loved. The funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Thursday, March 22, 2018, at the Shinn Chapel with Dr. Stephen Davis officiating. Burial will be in Hudson Cemetery, near Moreland and under the direction of Shinn Funeral Service of Russellville. The family will receive friends Wednesday evening from 5:00-6:00 p.m., at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Chris Bubbus, Mike Bubbus, Stuart Barber, Greg Barber, Larry Bubbus and Paul Bubbus. Honorary pallbearers will be Alan Bubbus, Jonathan Wilson, Ron Peters, Craig Mizes, Mike Whaley and the CJ's Burgers Staff. In honor of Mr. Wilson, C.J.'s Burgers will be closed Thursday, March 22, 2018. The online obituary and guestbook are available at www.shinnfuneral.com.