WALTER CUNNINGHAM “DERBY” WILSON
1935-2017
Derby Wilson, age 81, died peacefully on May 6, 2017 in Washington DC after a long well-fought battle with cardiovascular disease. Derby was born on September 29, 1935 in Peoria, Illinois, a son of Frances Cunningham Wilson and John Hawley Wilson. Derby graduated from Casady School in Oklahoma City and Dartmouth College with a B.A. in Geography. In 1961, Derby married Nancy Norville, of Oklahoma City, who passed away in 1998. In 2000, Derby married Joanne Seale Lawson, of Houston and Washington DC, who survives him. Besides his wife of 18 years, survivors include: three children from his first marriage, John Walter Wilson of Houston, Carrie Wilson Major of Conroe, and Valerie Wilson McCarthy of Woodside CA; two stepchildren, Chappell H. Lawson of Boston and Emily Lawson Amis of Maryland; four grandchildren, eight step grandchildren, and a brother, David B. Wilson of Oklahoma City.
After college, Derby joined Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company where he worked for 53 years and was repeatedly a top salesman of the company. During his tenure at Mass Mutual, Derby served in a number of different roles, including General Agent of Oklahoma City, Senior Vice President of Mass Mutual in Springfield, MA, and General Agent of Houston. Reflecting his excellence in the industry, Derby was a Lifetime Member of the Million Dollar Roundtable. Throughout his professional career, Derby was active in the Oil and Gas Industry, including being an early investor and board member of Chesapeake Energy, Hadson Oil Company and Earth Satellite Corporation. He also was a founding board member of Post Oak Bank in Houston. He was an avid golfer and a member of Sankaty Head Golf Club where he served on the Board for many years and was President for two years. He was a former member of Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club, Longmeadow County Club, Thunderbird Country Club, the Coronado Club, River Oaks Country Club, and the Windsor Club.
Throughout his life, Derby was committed to non-profit service, with a particular interest in education and the arts. Derby served on the boards of Casady School, Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart, Springfield College in MA, Oklahoma Museum of Art, Blaffer Art Museum at the University of Houston, the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington DC, and the ‘Sconset Trust in Nantucket, MA.
Derby’s true love in life was his family, followed by his friends and community. He was a consummate gentleman. He suffused any room with his empathy, kindness, sense of humor and charm, traits magnified by his humility and optimism. He loved his life and lived it to the fullest. He will be missed by his many friends in every community.
Memorial Service will be held Friday, June 9, 2017 at 10:30am at St. John’s Church in Houston, TX. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to Casady School in Oklahoma City (www.casady.org), the ‘Sconset Trust in Nantucket (www.sconsettrust.org), or the charity of your choice.