Billy Roy "Bill" Wilson

On October 27, 2025, Billy Roy Wilson died outright. He was the son of Roy and Vada Bowen Wilson. He was born in December of 1939 at the old St. Vincent Infirmary in Little Rock and was raised in Forester and Waldron. He attended the University of Arkansas and Hendrix College where he graduated in 1962. He graduated from Vanderbilt School of Law in 1965. He was a prosecutor in Texarkana, and served in the U.S. Navy for three years, five months, 22 days and five hours. He was honorably discharged in November of 1969.
Billy Roy practiced law at Wright Lindsey Jennings, then McMath, Leatherman, & Woods, and then with Wilson, Engstrom, Corum, Dudley, & Coulter until 1993 when he became the first U.S. District Judge nominated by President Clinton.
He enjoyed an eclectic group of friends that included people from all walks of life. He took great pleasure in these friendships, some of which lasted a lifetime of 85 years.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Roxanne Wilson, his brother, Dick Wilson, and his parents. He is survived by his wife Cathi Compton, with whom he spent 28 joyful years. He is also survived by Jo Luck and their children, Beth Gray (Paul) and Mark Wilson (Vy). He is also survived by his stepson Marcus Vowell and stepdaughters, Maggie Benson (Matthew) and Whitley Hobbs (Sean). He had a beautiful, blended family with many step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The youngest of these, Mary Helen, commanded much of his attention and he spent the last four and half years doting on her and doing as she asked.
There will be a memorial service at Second Presbyterian Church in Little Rock on November 8 at 1:00 p.m. At Billy Roy's direction, it will be a secular humanist ceremony, with a tinge of old times Methodism, and a convivial reception will follow the service.
Memorials may be made to Hendrix College, a favorite charity, or by forgiving a lowly sinner. Arrangements are under the direction of RuebelFuneralHome.com