A.R. passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on December 7, 2022 at the age of 83 years old in Springfield, MO.  Alva Roy was born April 9, 1939 in Slaton, Texas to Pascal Ray and MarBeth Wilson.  He was the youngest boy of a family of 4 children, attending Slaton Schools.  He met Ruth Wessler on March 26, 1959, marrying 4 months later on July 26, 1959 in Springfield, Colorado. They then moved to Lubbock, Texas before settling in Grapevine, Texas.  A.R. and Ruth had two children Tamra JoAnn and Gary Wayne.

In 1964 they were invited to Bethel Baptist Church under the ministry of Bro. L.E. Holmes and soon started attending.  Realizing they were not children of God, both A.R. and Ruth accepted Christ and gave their lives to God.  Thereafter getting involved in the church, A.R. led music, taught Sunday School and both were called to work in missions.  In 1967 after being called to mission work, the family moved to Springfield, Missouri attending Baptist Bible College.  A.R. began working for the Baptist Bible Fellowship International Missions Office and was their Business Manager for 10 plus years.  It was there they began developing relationships with missionaries and their kids and became adopted Uncle and Aunt to so many family’s. A.R. was always there to help listen, fill out college forms, doing taxes and anything else they needed.  Their home was open at any time to college students and actually anyone and especially on Thanksgiving, when it was nothing to have a large extended family gathering.  A.R. taught Sunday school for 50 plus years.  They are long time members of High Street Baptist Church where he served as deacon, missions committee, teacher, college councilors, nursery worker plus anywhere they were needed.  He was also a licensed minister and married his children and several of his grandchildren plus preached and led several conferences as needed.

A.R. went into the insurance, tax preparation and real estate business in the late 1970’s, and in 1985 started his own business, A.R. Wilson REALTORS® along with his family. He also began property management at the same time and enjoyed working to help his friends and clients invest in and manage their investment properties. They loved working as a family to grow their business and he led them with integrity, always treating others with respect.  He was very involved with the Greater Springfield Board of REALTORS® as a director, serving on many committees and was the 1999 Board of REALTORS® President. He was honored in 1998 being named Broker of the Year, of the Greater Springfield Board of REALTORS®.  He was also the President of the Greater Springfield Apartment and Housing Association in 1993-1994 where he also led many committees and served on the board.  A.R. and Ruth later owned and operated the Maine Street Antique Mall in Ozark, MO for several years where at one time or another, they employed all their grandchildren.  Eventually they slowed down and moved to Table Rock Lake after their last grandchild graduated high school.  They were always involved in the lives of their grandchildren, supporting them in all their activities, traveling and enjoying all their ballgames.  They loved living at the lake and A.R. loved to fish and they loved all their neighbors.  A.R. enjoyed water sports, and he last water skied and wakeboarded when he was 79 years old.  A.R. loved his family and spending time with them on the water, snow skiing and attending Dallas Cowboys and St Louis Rams football games as well as Nascar races. A.R. was also a licensed pilot and loved the twin engine plane he owned for many years.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Jim Wilson and sister in law, Margaret Wilson.  His father and mother in law Oscar and Clara Wessler. After Clara’s death, Oscar met and married Elsie Wessler, brother in law LR Millican and nephews Vonn and V.L. and wife Kelly Wessler.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Ruth, two children Tammie and husband Randy Tucker and Gary and wife Lisa Wilson.  Grandchildren, Bryan and Holly Tucker, Bradley and Mandy Tucker, Blake Tucker and Kat Canterbury, Ashley and Tim Hamp, Morgan and Brad Thomas and Roshawn Moore. He also leaves 14 great grandchildren and one great great granddaughter.  One brother Noel and wife Mildred Wilson and sister Eda Wilson.  One brother in law Melvin and wife Laura Ethel Wessler and sister in law Mona Millican along with many nieces and nephews.

A.R. was loved deeply by his family and loved all their time together.  He was a life long Dallas Cowboy fan.  Most of all He loved his Lord Jesus and loved people and serving others.

Arrangements are through Greenlawn Funeral Home East, Springfield, Missouri.  A visitation will be held Monday, December 12, 2022 from 5-7pm. Funeral services will be Tuesday, December 13, 2022 at 10am all being held at High Street Church with Pastor Eddie Lyons officiating, 900 N Eastgate Road, Springfield, Missouri.   Following, graveside services will be held at Greenlawn Cemetery, Springfield, Missouri.

Because A.R. loved missions the family has requested memorial contribution’s be made to the High Street Missions Program. Mail contributions to High Street Church, 900 N. Eastgate, Springfield, MO. 65802.