| | Wilson was born to Will R. and Kate Wilson in [[Dallas]], where he graduated from Highland Park High School i University Park. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in [[Geology]] at the [[University of Oklahoma]] at Norman.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tarlton.law.utexas.edu/justices/spct/wilson.html|title=Will Reid Wilson, Sr. (1912-2005)|publisher=Tarlton Law Center of University of Texas|accessdate=December 24, 2008}}</ref> Then he entered the Dedham Law School of [[Southern Methodist University]] in Dallas, which named him a "Distinguished Graduate." He joined the law firm of Turner, Rogers, and Wynn and served as an aide to Dallas [[Mayor]] Woodall Rogers, who served in the nonpartisan position from 1939 to 1947. Wilson left Dallas to become an assistant Texas attorney general in the state capital in [[Austin]].<ref name=obit>Will R. Wilson, Sr., obituary, ''Austin American-Statesman,'' December 16, 2005.</ref> | | Wilson was born to Will R. and Kate Wilson in [[Dallas]], where he graduated from Highland Park High School i University Park. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in [[Geology]] at the [[University of Oklahoma]] at Norman.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tarlton.law.utexas.edu/justices/spct/wilson.html|title=Will Reid Wilson, Sr. (1912-2005)|publisher=Tarlton Law Center of University of Texas|accessdate=December 24, 2008}}</ref> Then he entered the Dedham Law School of [[Southern Methodist University]] in Dallas, which named him a "Distinguished Graduate." He joined the law firm of Turner, Rogers, and Wynn and served as an aide to Dallas [[Mayor]] Woodall Rogers, who served in the nonpartisan position from 1939 to 1947. Wilson left Dallas to become an assistant Texas attorney general in the state capital in [[Austin]].<ref name=obit>Will R. Wilson, Sr., obituary, ''Austin American-Statesman,'' December 16, 2005.</ref> |
| − | During [[World War II]], Wilson joined the [[United States Army]] and advanced to the rank of major, having served in the Pacific theater of operations in [[New Guinea]] and the [[Philippines]], where he was on the staff of [[General]]s Walter Kruger I.P. Swift. He was the battalion commander of the 465th Field Artillery. He accepted the surrender of the staff of the [[Japanese people|Japanese]] General Yamashita and received the [[Bronze Star]] for heroism in [[combat]] from General Swift. After the war, Wilson returned to Dallas to practice law.<ref name=tsc>{{cite web|url=http://www.cemetery.state.tx.us/pub/user_form.asp?step=1&pers_id=2793|title=Cemetery burials|publisher=Texas State Cemetery, Austin, Texas|accessdate=December 24, 2008}}</ref> | + | During [[World War II]], Wilson joined the [[United States Army]] and advanced to the rank of major, having served in the Pacific theater of operations in [[New Guinea]] and the [[Philippines]], where he was on the staff of [[General]]s Walter Kruger I.P. Swift. He was the battalion commander of the 465th Field Artillery. He accepted the surrender of the staff of the [[Japan]]ese General Yamashita and received the [[Bronze Star]] for heroism in combat from General Swift. After the war, Wilson returned to Dallas to practice law.<ref name=tsc>{{cite web|url=http://www.cemetery.state.tx.us/pub/user_form.asp?step=1&pers_id=2793|title=Cemetery burials|publisher=Texas State Cemetery, Austin, Texas|accessdate=December 24, 2008}}</ref> |
| | In 1946, Wilson was elected to a four-year term as district attorney of Dallas County, having served from 1947 to 1951. In 1950, he was elected to the nine-member Texas Supreme Court, the final authority in civil cases and juvenile matters in the state. He left the court as associate justice in 1956 to run for attorney general to succeed the Democrat [[John Ben Shepperd]].<ref name=obit/> | | In 1946, Wilson was elected to a four-year term as district attorney of Dallas County, having served from 1947 to 1951. In 1950, he was elected to the nine-member Texas Supreme Court, the final authority in civil cases and juvenile matters in the state. He left the court as associate justice in 1956 to run for attorney general to succeed the Democrat [[John Ben Shepperd]].<ref name=obit/> |