Dr. Walter L. Wilson and Betty B. Wilson

Walter Wilson and his wife, Betty Wilson, passed away last week. Walter Lynn Wilson, D.O., died Saturday, February 27, 2016. Dr. Wilson was born in Houston, Texas, on March 19, 1932. He was raised by his grandparents in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He began working at an early age to help support himself and his loving grandparents. He worked at a gas station where he became a proficient automobile mechanic. Upon graduating from Classen High School, he attended the University of Tulsa. He was married to the former Miss Betty Perkins on June 4, 1955, in Bartlesville, Oklahoma.

Inspired by his step-father, Thomas L. Wilson, D.O., Dr. Wilson attended and graduated from the Des Moines College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery in 1957. He completed an osteopathic internship and general surgery residency at Oklahoma Osteopathic Hospital. Dr. Wilson practiced general surgery in Tulsa for his entire career. He thoroughly enjoyed his patients and surgery. He approached his patients and practice with a sense of humor. He was a staunch advocate of the osteopathic profession. He served as first, second and third Vice President of the American Osteopathic Association. He served as president of the Oklahoma Osteopathic Association in 1976-77, and served as president of the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons in 1986-87. The Oklahoma Osteopathic Association honored Dr. Wilson with Doctor of the Year in 1983, and awarded him the Outstanding and Distinguished Service Award in 1988. He was honored in 2003 with the Distinguished Osteopathic Surgeon Award by the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons. Dr. Wilson strongly believed in osteopathic education and training. Dr. Wilson was an initiator in the founding of the Oklahoma College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery. He served as a member and chairman of the Board of Regents for the Oklahoma College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery. He took great pride in the many osteopathic residents and surgeons he assisted in training.

Betty B. Wilson died Thursday, February 25, 2016. Betty was born in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, on February 22, 1933, to Adrin H. Perkins and Catherine (Benjamin) Perkins. Upon graduating from high school in Bartlesville, Betty attended the University of Tulsa where she received a degree in speech and elementary education. She joined Kappa Delta sorority which she continued to support through her life. Upon graduation, she married Dr. Walter L. Wilson and taught elementary school in Des Moines, Iowa. After raising four children in Tulsa, Betty worked at the side of Dr. Wilson in his medical practice as office manager. Betty was an advocate of osteopathic medicine and tirelessly supported her husband. Betty loved her children and grandchildren. She and Dr. Wilson virtually never missed an activity of their children and grandchildren. She faithfully rooted for her St. Louis Cardinals. Betty loved her sister, Roberta Vickers, and her aunts and uncles "on the farm" in Copan who affectionately called her Bobby. She was so proud of her granddaughter, Moriah, for joining Kappa Delta sorority and never missed an opportunity to receive a bear hug from grandson Jordan.

Dr. Wilson and Betty Wilson are survived by son, Gregory L. Wilson, D.O., and his wife, Julie Wilson, of Tulsa; son, Jeffrey L. Wilson and his wife, Laura Wilson, of Cleveland, OK; son Douglas L. Wilson, of Muskogee; and grandchildren Ian and wife Jess, Jordan, Moriah, Luke and his wife Lacey, and Ben. They were preceded in death by their son, Gary A. Wilson.

A joint service will be held on March 7, 2016, at 2 p.m. at Kirk of the Hills. The family requests memorials to the Oklahoma Educational Foundation For Osteopathic Medicine, 4848 N. Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma City, 0K 73105. Moore's Southlawn 918-663-2233 share memories at www.moorefuneral.com