Samuel “David” Wilson, 70, of Caldwell entered into eternal rest on Friday, May 9, 2026.
During his final earthly days, he was surrounded by the love and comfort of close family, dear friends and his beloved pets.
David was born on April 12, 1956, in Houston and was raised there by his parents, Florence Bea and Sam L. Wilson, both originally of Corsicana.
He grew up alongside his two adoring older siblings, Fred and Susan.
David’s favorite childhood memories included holidays with family, his mother’s home cooking, family vacations and time spent at the family beach house in Surfside.
In his early adolescence, he enjoyed riding dirt bikes with a tightknit circle of friends, and later discovered a love for “hot rods” as he referred to them, after purchasing his first of several classic cars -- a 1967 Ford Mustang.
David was also a lifelong fan of Houston Astros baseball, classic rock and roll music and Blue Bell ice cream.
David’s longtime career in machinery maintenance started in 1976 when he was accepted and excelled in an apprenticeship at Cameron Ironworks, graduating in 1980. He went on to work for Nabisco and Maxwell House for many years before his retirement.
David first became a father in 1983 with the birth of his son, Travis Scott Wilson, and again in 1986 when his daughter, Catelyn “Catie” Diane Wilson, was born.
He was a skilled handyman at home and took pride in yard work, hanging Christmas lights, building play forts, treehouses and other projects for Travis and Catie.
He shared his love for family vacations with them, often spending Easters at the family house in Rockdale and summers at Surfside Beach or floating the Frio River in Concan.
He taught them both how to ride bicycles and, much to the apprehension of both their mother and his own, often took them along on dirt bike rides and motorcycle adventures -- memories they would never forget.
After retiring, David moved to Caldwell to be near his brother, Fred and sister in law, Dee, the latter having accompanied him on one of his many skydiving adventures.
Whether it was riding motorcycles, driving fast cars or leaping from planes, David carried his adventurous spirit with him throughout his life.
He met his wife, Lisa, in 2021, and they were married the following year. David deeply treasured their life together and the loving home they created side by side.
They enjoyed long road trips to New York and scenic historical sites throughout the South, Caribbean cruises and, most recently, a memorable trip to Minnesota in 2025 to visit his niece, Kelly, and her husband, Dan.
David was preceded in death by his infant sister, Patsy Wilson; father, Sam Wilson; mother, Florence Wilson; sister, Susan Covington; late wife, Suzie Wilson; and son, Travis Wilson.
He is survived by his wife, Lisa Baisley-Wilson of Caldwell; daughter, Catelyn (Landon) Fritz of Kingsville; brother, Fred (Dee) Graves of Rockdale; multiple nieces and nephews; stepchildren, Erica (Kellis) Gregory of Brenham and Jenny (Phillip) Wilkening of Elgin; and multiple stepgrandchildren who affectionately referred to him as “Pops”. He also leaves behind two cherished pets, Sam and Snuggles.
David will be fondly remembered as a loyal husband, father, son, brother and friend.
A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 31, 2026, at Caldwell Methodist Church (306 W. Fox Street in Caldwell).
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation in his memory to any animal rescue or humane society of your choice, the BCS Fights Cancer organization or Bluebonnet Hospice.