Robert M. Wilson Jr.

ROBERT M. WILSON JR., lawyer and historian, died on August 3, 2012, surrounded by his loving family. Robby, as he was known to all, was born April 28, 1952 to Robert M. Wilson Sr. and Jan Herrick Wilson in Little Rock, Ark. Robby attended Little Rock public schools and The Anthony School founded by his Aunt Jean Anthony, and graduated from Little Rock Hall High in 1970. He graduated from the University of Arkansas and the University of Arkansas School of Law, where he was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity, Phi Alpha Delta Fraternity, and during law school served two terms as Treasurer of the Student Bar Association. During his college years, Robby enlisted in the Arkansas Air National Guard, attended basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, and was honorably discharged in 1976. During this period, Robby also worked on the staff of Arkansas Senator John McClellan in Washington, D.C. during the times of the Watergate Hearings. Upon graduation from law school and passing the bar, in 1978 Robby began a legal career that spanned five decades. Originally, he practiced law in Little Rock, Ark., from 1978 until 1979 as a member of Hamilton, O'Hara and Hays, and subsequently Hamilton, Mackey, Wilson, Johnson and Wood. In 1982, the firm transitioned from a full service general practice representing numerous kinds of diverse interests to one of a limited practice with real estate and tax related matters as its focus. The firm, then called Wilson & Wood, was built upon Wilson's growing mortgage banking practice and his partner's well respected tax law practice, subsequently becoming Wilson, Wood and Hargis. In 1985 the partners parted company amicability and Robby changed the name of his practice from Robert M. Wilson Jr. PA to Wilson & Associates, PLLC, which has concentrated on representation of the mortgage banking industry from that time forward, growing into one of the largest law firms in Arkansas, with additional offices in Tennessee. During his legal career, Robby was admitted to the Bars of Arkansas, Texas, Tennessee, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Arkansas, U.S. Court of Appeals, and U.S. Supreme Court. He acted as general counsel to the Arkansas Mortgage Bankers Association and has been the recipient of many awards, including: Mortgage Bankers Association of Arkansas President's Award for Excellence for 1978-1988 and again for 1993-1994, the USFN Emerald Award of Excellence (1996), USFN Award of Distinction (1996), USFN Board of Directors Service Award (1989-1994), USFN Diamond Award of Excellence (1994-2011), USFN Director of the Year Award (1990 & 1991) and the USFN Founder's Award (2002). Robby was a Special Commissioner of the Arkansas Workers' Compensation Commission as well as a founding board member of the USFN, serving two terms as its original President and Chairman of the Board. During his legal career Robby was also an accomplished author and public speaker. Robby had a life-long passion for history, starting with his collection of military memorabilia as a youth and culminating with the creation in 2006 of the Wilson History & Research Center, a non-profit 501(c)(3) museum dedicated to locating, acquiring, authenticating and disseminating military headgear of the 20 century. Launching the museum allowed Robby to concentrate his energy on developing a center for research and study regarding the development of military headgear of all nations in the 20 century. In connection with the Center, Robby co-authored the first two volumes of the book, Exotische, a series on rare and exotic headgear of the 20 century. Robby was a member of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, Arkansas Bar Foundation, University of Arkansas Foundation, American Bar Association, Arkansas Bar Association, Pulaski County Bar Association, Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association, Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Arkansas Realtors Association, Texas Bar Association, Tennessee Bar Association, Mortgage Bankers Association of America, Mortgage Bankers Association of Arkansas, Tennessee Mortgage Bankers Association, Texas Mortgage Bankers Association, American Legal & Financial Network (ALFN), Greater Little Rock Chamber of Commerce Leadership Institute and a Fellow of the American College of Mortgage Attorneys. Robby enjoyed and avidly pursued aviation and boating, having been a private pilot for many years, an accomplished scuba diver and loved spending time on his boat, Ghost Dancer. Robby is predeceased by his parents. He is survived by his children, Robert Wilson III and Jillian Wilson, his brother, Charles Arthur Wilson, former wife and law partner, Jennifer Wilson-Harvey, and his step-mother, Jane McGehee Wilson. Robby will be remembered by the many people who knew him as a generous, passionate visionary who embraced life and lived it to its fullest. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him. A visitation will be held on Tuesday, August 7, 2012 from 5-7 p.m. at Wilson History & Research Center, 27 Rahling Circle. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral with The Rev. Jonathon Jensen officiating. Memorial contributions can be made to the Wilson History & Research Center, Inc., 27 Rahling Circle, Suite D-14, Little Rock, Ark. 72223, www.militaryheadgear.com or UAMS Cancer Institute, 4301 West Markham St., Little Rock, Ark. 72205. Arrangements by Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.