TITLE: Paying tribute to the life of Aubrey Keith Wilson and honoring Nona Long Wilson for the couple's contributions to Birdville ISD.

SUMMARY: Paying tribute to the life of Aubrey Keith Wilson and honoring Nona Long Wilson for the couple's contributions to Birdville ISD.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Countless Tarrant County residents continue to honor Aubrey Keith Wilson, who died on November 2, 2014, at the age of 82, as well as his wife, Nona Long Wilson, for their exceptional contributions to the Birdville Independent School District; and WHEREAS, Born in Vernon on September 1, 1932, Aubrey Wilson was raised by his mother, Bonnie, and stepfather, Frank Tuttle; he excelled at basketball at Vernon High School, and he attended Wayland Baptist College on an athletic scholarship, earning a bachelor's degree in 1954; after serving in the U.S. Army, he completed a master's degree at Texas Christian University and doctoral course work at Texas Woman's University; and WHEREAS, Mr. Wilson enjoyed a distinguished career in education, serving with the Vernon ISD from 1956 to 1963 and with the Birdville ISD from 1963 to 1989; a math teacher, he helped the Birdville school district develop its first computer programming classes, chaired the computer committee for the assistant superintendent for instruction, and served as the district's first computer and math consultant; and WHEREAS, This esteemed Texan was also a highly successful basketball coach; during his tenure leading the Richland High School varsity squad, from 1967 to 1972, he guided the Rebels to two District 5-4A titles and was twice named district Coach of the Year by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram;he subsequently served as assistant basketball coach at Texas Wesleyan University from 1972 to 1973, and in 2015, he was posthumously inducted into the BISD Athletics Hall of Fame; and WHEREAS, Nona Long Wilson, with whom Aubrey Wilson shared a rewarding marriage of 59 years, has also played a notable role in forwarding the mission of the Birdville school district; a history teacher in the district for 17 years, she donated $50,000 in 2016, in honor of her husband, to establish a teacher grant program at Shannon High School; the endowment enables special education teachers to provide cultural experiences that promote self-confidence and good citizenship in their students; and WHEREAS, Aubrey and Nona Wilson's impact on the Birdville ISD will resonate long into the future, and it is a pleasure to recognize their outstanding contributions in behalf of young Texans; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Aubrey Keith Wilson and honor Nona Long Wilson for their commitment to, and support of, the Birdville Independent School District; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Mrs. Wilson and that when the Texas House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Aubrey Keith Wilson. Klick Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 2031 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on May 25, 2017. Chief Clerk of the House