Lloyd Tarleton Wilson 1923–1999

FORT WORTH - L.T. "Tolly" Wilson, 75, a retired attorney, died at home Monday, May 10, 1999, after a long battle with cancer.

After graduating from high school, his college career was interrupted by his service in the Army in World War II, where he served in the 355th Field Artillery battalion and the 76th Infantry Division. He returned to attend the University of Texas where he earned his BA degree and his law degree in 1950. Tolly practiced law with his father in Wichita Falls until he was elected to serve as District Attorney for Wichita County from 1957-1960. He was hired as felony prosecutor by Tarrant CountyDistrict Attorney Frank Coffey in 1971. He was promoted to chief of the trial section in 1975 and to director of the criminal division under Tim Curry in 1978, where he led a staff of about 130 lawyers, investigators and secretaries. He was one ofthe first attorneys in Texas to be Board Certified in Criminal law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. After 13 years with the District Attorney's office, he resigned to enter private practice, first with Wallace Craig and then as a solo practitioner.As a criminal defense attorney, Tolly took great pride in his ability to help people.

Tolly Wilson was a member of the prosecution team that tried Cullen Davis for murder in a 1977 trial in Amarillo that ended in a not guilty verdict, the only case, he claimed, he ever loss. He led another team of prosecutors during Davis' murder-for-hire trial in the alleged plot to kill District Judge Joe Eidson, a case ending in a hung jury.

Tolly was married for 30 years to Irene T. Wilson, area banker for the last 25 years. They were members of the First United Methodist Church of Fort Worth and formerly were members of the First United Methodist Church of Wichita Falls.

Tolly loved his home and family. He enjoyed working hard but his foremost concern was a his family and friends. Over the years, Tolly flew airplanes, scuba dived and was a gourmet cook.

Survivors: Wife, Irene Wilson of Fort Worth; stepson, Lynn Davis; daughters, Tracey Killion of Houston and Laura Lee Wilson of Fort Worth; sister, Minalee Smith of Odessa; grandchildren, Chastity Davis, Heath Davis, Megan Killion and Mallory Killion; and a large number of dear friends who loved him and will miss him dearly.