Wilton Hays Killam

Memorial services for Wilton Hays Killam, 83, of Lufkin will be held Wednesday, October 3, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church Lufkin with Sr. Pastor D. Nick Sholars officiating. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Carroway Funeral Home.

Mr. Killam was born near Ballinger, Runnels County, Texas to George Pratt and Helen (Hays) Killam on February 27, 1929.

He attended schools in Ballinger, San Angelo, Moffatt, and Lufkin, and graduated from Polytechnic High School in Fort Worth in 1944.

He graduated from North Texas Agricultural College (now UT Arlington), earned a BS in Geology from the University of Texas in 1949, a MA in Geography from UT, and a Guidance and Counseling Certification from Stephen F. Austin State University.

At UT he was in the Army ROTC and was commissioned upon graduation as 2nd Lieutenant. He began teaching Science at Lufkin Jr. High School until called into the U.S. Army for the Korean Conflict.

He served in the Quartermaster Corp stationed at Ft. Lee, Virginia and at Ft. Sam Houston in San Antonio, where he became the Property Disposal Officer and a member of the General Courts Martial. After the war was over he returned to Lufkin as 1st Lieutenant.

He continued to teach General Science at Lufkin Jr. High School until he became Director of the Counseling and Guidance Program for LISD and Counselor at Lufkin High School.

Wilton served a number of years as tennis coach, first in Jr. High and for many years at LHS. He worked with students that brought home many tournament and district championships.

In 1968 he joined the original faculty of Angelina College and served as Dean of Students, taught classes in Psychology and Geography, and served as the first tennis coach. Even after retiring he continued teaching on and off campus. He had a teaching career that spanned over 55 years.

During his time with LISD he served as President of the Lufkin Classroom Teachers Association, and as President of the Lufkin Unit of the Texas State Teachers Association. He also was on the founding board of the Angelina County Teachers Credit Union and served as Secretary.

Wilton was a member of the Lufkin Kiwanis Club for many years and served as President and Lt. Governor of Division 14 of the Texas/Oklahoma District of Kiwanis International.

He served on a number of boards and committees in Lufkin, among them President of the Texas Forestry Museum, President of the Samaritan Center of East Texas, President of the Counseling and Guidance Association of East Texas, President of the Historical Commission for Angelina County, and others.

In 1993 he was awarded the Angelina Award by the Angelina County Chamber of Commerce for his dedication to the youth of our area and his service to the community.

Wilton married Bonnie Sue Bain on June 6, 1955 and is the father of three sons, Bob and wife Scottie of Austin, Bil and wife Wendy of Lufkin and Steve and wife Joy of Lufkin. Grandchildren, Dustin Stewart, Meagan Killam Hogg and husband Travis, Ben, Grider and Michael Killam, and Adam Scott and wife Tashina, and great-grandsons, Hudson and Brazos Hogg of Austin.

Wilton and his family have been long time members of the First United Methodist Church Lufkin, and he has served as Sunday School Teacher, choir member, and on many committees.

He is survived by his immediate family, as well as his brother and sister-in-law, Dr. Allen and Ruth Killam of Durham, North Carolina; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Ted and Jean Bain of Centerville; numerous Killam and Hays cousins; and many friends and former students.

He is preceded in death by his grandson, Patrick Scott.

Pallbearers will be Travis Hogg, Rojelio Rolado, Dr. Larry Phillips, Guy Davis, Bill Berry, Royce Feaster, Earlon Williams, Dr. Jimmy Tinkle, and Celestine Hunt.

Honorary pallbearers will be the W.A.G.S., Lufkin Noon Kiwanis, Angelina College faculty, and the Fellowship Sunday School class.

Contributions may be made to the Patrick Scott Scholarship Fund at First United Methodist Church Lufkin, 805 East Denman Avenue, Lufkin, Texas 75901, Angelina College Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 1768, Lufkin, Texas 75902, Ellen Trout Zoo, 402 Zoo Circle, Lufkin, Texas 75904, Texas Forestry Museum, 1905 Atkinson Drive, Lufkin, Texas 75901 or Lufkin Kiwanis Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 155005, Lufkin, Texas 75915.

The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday evening at Carroway Funeral Home.

Memories and condolences may be added at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.