Cliff C. Wilson

On August 21, 2017, Cliff Cummings Wilson, age 85, passed away at Laredo Medical Center in Laredo, Texas. Mr. Wilson was surrounded by his family as he passed peacefully into the hands of our Lord. Born January 12, 1932 in Barksdale, Texas to Lee Arthur Wilson and Emma Clara Cummings Wilson, Mr. Wilson graduated from Del Rio High School in 1950. Later that year he volunteered to join the United States Army as the Korean Conflict was beginning. He was first stationed in Germany as a Military Police Officer. As the Korean Conflict escalated, he was transferred to Korea where he would attain the rank of Sergeant and served in the infantry where he would receive the Purple Heart medal after being wounded in battle. Upon returning to civilian life, he would embark on his law enforcement career attending Texas A&M University enrolling in classes to become a State Police Officer as a State Game Warden for Texas Parks and Wildlife. After gaining considerable knowledge in law enforcement, Mr. Wilson became a Special Agent for the United States Customs Service. He served in that capacity until his retirement in 1982 after 20 years of service. Though his job always kept him a busy man, he would always retreat to his love of raising cattle at his ranch. It was there where he was most peaceful. His retirement lasted for only a few years when he was chosen as the Superintendent for the Webb County Road and Bridge Department. He dedicated his knowledge of road building and maintenance for the following 10 years until his second retirement form Webb County. His love for ranching and cattle continued throughout his life and brought him to his final position as ranch foreman for Neel Cattle Company maintaining and caring for three herds of Registered Polled Herefords. Mr. Wilson would continue in this capacity for 14 years. His dedicated crew at the ranch always included his nephew, Ramon A. Villafranca, Jr. and his dear friends, Luis Guardiola, Fred Garza, Arturo Vela and Larry Rea. He will be remembered most for his love for his family and friends, and for his favorite passions, reading, raising cattle and mentoring those that came to seek his advice. He is preceded in death by his parents, Lee Arthur and Emma Clara C. Wilson; brother, Lee Arthur Wilson. He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Veronica P. Wilson; daughters, Karen Lee (Mike) Novak, Sandra Dawn Wilson and Paula Dee (Gary) Christensen; 6 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren; brother, Chester Wilson and numerous relatives and friends. A visitation will be held on Saturday, August 26, 2017 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in the Hillside Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will be held on Sunday, August 27, 2017 at Vance Cemetery on 6961 Ranch Road 335, Barksdale, Texas, 78828 at 1:00 p.m. Pallbearers will be, Ramon A. Villafranca, Jr., Roberto Martinez, Dr. John L. Spruiell, Douglass McDonald, Dr. Carlos Vergara, Fred Garza, Joseph Souza, and Arturo “Cacho” Vela. Honorary Pallbearers will be, Saul Garza, Chris Carrol, and Frankie Sullivan. If you would like to sign the guestbook or send private condolences, you may do so at www.hillsidefuneral.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Hillside Funeral Home, 310 Hillside Road.