Bob Wilson Obituary
Obituary published on Legacy.com by Anderson-Burris Funeral Home - Enid on Oct. 29, 2025.
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Bob Wilson was born March 29, 1943, the 3rd child of Edgar Paris Wilson and Jaunita Salladay in Oilton, OK. Later in life Juanita married Andrew Jackson Mongold, and Edgar (Ed) married Rachael M. Terrel.
He attended Lincoln elementary and Emerson Jr. High in Enid. It was at Emerson where he decided he was smarter than his teachers and didn't need to continue his education in school.
Bob stated "I started my first job at 6, I would help out the milkman deliver milk, I was paid a quarter and a quart of chocolate milk. I would also mow lawns with my older brother, we had to use an old push mower and we would get paid a quarter a yard. I also did some farm work at age 11. I was willing to do any work to get that money."
He enlisted into the army November 19, 1961, and served through November 20, 1964. He married Arnitta Francis Eck January 1, 1964 and one son was born. Later, Bob married Sandra Kay Rosenberg December 29, 1969. To this union, Sonya K. Wilson was adopted March 15, 1979. Sonya was the light and joy of their life. Her family was extremely close to Bob.
After his military service, Bob worked for Groendyke, Cardinal Chemical, and Halliburton. In the late 70's, near the end of the oil boom, he started his own pump truck service. Bob and Sandy in early 1980's lost their home, business and all their equipment when the Penn Square Bank in OKC crashed. That was a heavy blow to them, and he never returned to the oilfield. He worked for a mattress company, learned the craft of building mattresses, then started the Wilson Mattress Factory, downtown Enid. Later, he started "Road Hog Pilot Car Escort." Bob really enjoyed driving and seeing the country.
Bob's long-standing friendship was with the Casper Family. They made many memories together and were part of the American Rider Motorcycle Club. They would occasionally all head out of town on the weekend riding their Harley's.
His retirement mainly consisted of connecting with his brother Leon and family in Texas, overseeing two rental properties, picking up Parker and Sissy from school, and coming to see the progress on the ranch. My guess, his greatest highlight of the year, was the 4th of July cookout held in his yard with family and friends.
His last year was spent at Garland Road Nursing Home where he enjoyed giving his grandchildren rides on the back of his wheelchair, and where he found a wonderful friend in Janice! They spent many hours visiting and laughing together. On one occasion, one of them bumped the control stick on Bob's chair and both of them ended up on the floor laughing.
Sunday morning, October 26, 2025, at 82 years of age, Bob quietly slipped away from our presence.
Preceding him in death was his father, Edgar (Ed) P. Wilson, mother Jaunita Salladay-Mongold, step-father A.J. Mongold, siblings Jan Wilson Evans, Bill Wilson, A.J. Mongold, Lisa Mongold, Timmy Mongold, Glenda Wilson and Linda Wilson
Bob is survived by son Bobby Wilson and wife Leah, daughter Sonya Phillips and husband Chad, brothers Leon Wilson, Eugene Wilson, Larry Wilson, and Poncho Wilson, 8 grandchildren, and 13 great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, October 31, 2025, in the Anderson-Burris Funeral Home Chapel with cremation following the service. Visitation with the family will be Thursday evening from 6:00 to 7:00 pm at the funeral home.