London Wilson Sr.

London Wilson, Sr. was born on May 8, 1925 to the union of Dan Wilson and Ladonia Mason in
Houston, TX. It was here where he garnered the lifelong nickname/s of "Sonny Boy." He received his
early education at Bruce and Crawford Elementary Schools. He spent many a day playing football,
baseball, and basketball in the open prairie grass fields of what is now US I-10 and Waco St. He attended
the Baptist church and accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior at an early age. He was baptized in White Oak
bayou near the place that was their unofficial "swimming hole." He attended Phyllis Wheatley and
graduated from Booker T. Washington High School also in Houston, TX.
He furthered his education at Bishop College, Marshall, TX where WWII war curtailed his studies there.
He enlisted in the U. S. Army served with honor while attaining the rank of Sargent. He was selected and
trained in the Water Purification area in the Corps of Engineers. He spent time France and primarily in
Germany. He helped to establish potable water from the various rivers and streams for the MASH units
located right behind the enemy front lines. He served with distinction and was awarded the Bronze Star
for meritorious service. He began his service career in April 17, 1944 and was honorably discharged June
15, 1946.
He then returned to Marshall, TX, however the glut of Service Veterans utilizing the GI Bill at Bishop
College caused him to transfer to Wiley College which was just across town. He also entered into his
beloved fraternity of Omega Psi Phi while on campus. He continued his pursuits there and received a
Bachelor of Science Degree in December 1947. He was hooked and became a Wiley Wildcat for life.
His Wiley and Omega experiences led him to the love of his life. After graduation is when he met and
married Jewell Victoria Thigpen on January 5, 1952 in Houston, TX. Their union was blessed with three
children: Adrienne Denise, Londa Valencia, and London, Jr. [Shot]. They purchased a home and moved
into the newly populated and growing Sunnyside community in south Houston also in 1952.
RELIGION:
He later converted and joined Blueridge United Methodist Church during the 1970s where he served
faithfully until his health declined. He started Boy Scout Troop 434 at the church.
PROFESSIONAL:
Due to his experience in the Army, he was the first 1st African American Water Purification Specialist in
the County. From 1951 – 1958, Harris County Water Control Board Superintendent WCID #26; 1958 –
1978 Annexed by City of Houston, Plant Supervisor; Data Processing Site Control until retirement.
Simultaneously from 1952 – 1990 he worked for the US Postal Service - Data Site Control.
PERSONAL/HOBBIES:
In his leisure time he enjoyed: fishing, hunting, photography and film developing (he built his own dark
room), card player, chess, dominoes, bowling, ping-pong, jazz aficionado, avid local and world traveler,
sports fan (tennis, basketball, football [Houston Oiler Season Ticket Holder in the 70's], baseball), home
designer and real estate investor, Grill Master Bar-Be-Quer, news and weather watcher on TV,
consummate handyman, IT enthusiast, Counselor, and Advocate to whomever needed It.
MEMBERSHIPS AND ORGANIZATIONS: Omega Psi Phi Fraternity (Life Member); Blueridge Methodist
Church – Methodist Men, Trustee, Boy Scout Troop 434 Leader, Finance Committee Chair, Men's Choir;
S.H.O.G. (Safe Handling of Guns) Hunting Club – President; Houston Wiley University Alumni Association
(HWUAA) – President 25 years and Life Member; Sunnyside Multi-Service Center - Board Member;
Cloverland Park Civic Club – Vice President; Houston Community College – Lifelong Learner Student
(2020), National Association of Retired Federal Employees (NARFE)
Scoutmaster London Wilson has lived the Scout Law with dignity and integrity. Combining these
characteristics with grace, Scoutmaster Wilson set the standard for Boy Scout Troop 434. The
foundation upon which he built Troop 434 as he guided hundreds of young boys into manhood have
encouraged those who followed in his footsteps to raise the bar as a sign of appreciation for his tenacity
to be the first to accept the challenge of establishing a Boy Scout Troop in Sunnyside, Houston, Texas
approximately 60 years ago. Since the millennium, Troop 434 has blessed the community with forty-
three (43 and counting) Eagle Scouts making it one of the most recognized troops in the
Sunnyside/Medical Center South region.
Recent Awards:
2024 Wiley University National Alumni Association (WUNAA) – Alumni of the Year
2023 Omega Psi Phi Fraternity - Theta Chapter (100 th Anniversary), Wiley University – Oldest Living
Chapter Fraternity Brother
He departed this life at peace on September 7, 2024. He was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years:
Jewell T. Wilson, Wife; Adrienne D. Wilson, Daughter; Ladonia Wilson and Dan Wilson, Parents, Willie
Earl Marlin, Brother; Willie May, Ida May, and Sallie Wilson, Sisters. He leaves to cherish his memory:
Daughter, Londa W. Singleton (Percy); Son, London "Shot" Wilson, Jr.; Grandchildren - Richard G.
Lawson, Stephen T. Singleton, Claudia J. Singleton, and Selena D. Singleton, and a host of loving
relatives, friends, and colleagues.