Steve Wilson

Services for Steve Wilson, 57, of Kilgore, will be 2 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 11, 2007, at the Greggton First Baptist Church with the Rev. Bobby Moore officiating under the direction of Rader Funeral Home of Kilgore. Burial will follow in Danville Cemetery. Mr. Wilson died Sunday, Oct. 7, 2007, at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.

Steve was born March 17, 1950, to Arthur W. and Theresa Bridges Wilson in Springhill, La. He graduated from Pine Tree High School in 1968 and graduated from West Texas State University in Canyon in 1972. Steve married his high school sweetheart Gail in 1971. Mr. Wilson served our country in the U.S. Army from 1973-1974 and was stationed in Atlanta, Ga. He was one of the last three draftees from the Longview office. He has lived in Kilgore since 1978, worked for University of Texas at Tyler for 31 years and was the Director of Information Resources and Communications. Steve was a Little League softball and basketball coach for 12 years and was loved by all he coached. He served as his daughter's primary pitching coach, catcher and her No. 1 fan. After coaching his "Wild Things" for so many years, they and their families became more like family than players. He loved the Astros, "mostly when they were winning," and even came to the point of nick-naming the players. He had the best sense of humor of anyone around, and had a way of making everyone feel comfortable, loved and welcomed. While in the hospital , he was a very grateful patient and gave "Thumbs Up" as a sign of thanks.

He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Gail Wilson of Kilgore; daughter, Cara Jo Wilson of College Station; parents, Art and Theresa Wilson of Longview; mother and father-in-law, Jim and Louise Saunders of Longview; sister-in-law, Jana Wilson and niece and nephew, Sarah and Evan Wilson of Celina; brother and sister-in-law, Lynn and Cathy Saunders of Longview; niece, Cristi Saunders of Lynchburg, Va.; nephew, Jeremy Saunders of Dallas; and numerous treasured friends and co-workers, and many beloved pets.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Charles Wilson in 2002.

Pallbearers are Cecil Baker, Roy Greer, Shane Mitchell, Kyle Adams, Chris Green and Jim Ott.

The family will receive friends at Rader Funeral Home Wednesday between 6 and 8 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Lung Cancer Research, P.O. Box 4486, Houston, 77210, or (800-525-5841).

Please leave online condolences at www.raderfuneralhome.com.