James Paul “Squirrelly” Wilson, 81, of Center, went to be with Lola on January 1, 2019.
Visitation will be begin at 2:00 p.m., Friday, January 4, 2019, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center.  Funeral service will follow at 3:00 p.m. with Bro. Fred Wilcox officiating.  Interment will be held at Mt. Herman Cemetery in Center.

James Paul Wilson -Squirrelly- was born on Snow Hill in Shelby County to Buford and Ethel Beasley Wilson on January 13, 1937. After growing up and attending Center High School, where he met the love of his life Lola, they attended Stephen F. Austin State University, got married, and started a career of traveling and making music with The Four Mints. The Four Mints played night clubs and other venues from coast to coast preforming doo-wop music, Christian music, and even a little rock and roll.

After James and Lola had their family, James ran Medical Arts Pharmacy and the Lake Country Inn for several years while starting to travel and sing with the Governor of Louisiana, Jimmy Davis. James Paul would play the guitar and sing backup with Jimmy's wife Anna. They traveled throughout Louisiana and the South singing Christian music and drawing very large crowds.
Some of you may remember the rooster crowing each morning on KDET as James Paul opened up the radio stations morning show. He also presented the Swap Shop and occasionally the General Store. He loved to introduce Mattie Dellinger every day for her afternoon spot, "Here's Mattie" would become a familiar battle cry that the community became accustom to daily. Come rain, sleet, snow, or shine, James would be there by 6am every morning to ensure the community stayed on top of the daily events.

James was also an avid golfer and truly loved the sport. He was a member of the Center Country Club for many years and you could see the bright yellow golf cart zipping around the course several times a week. James was also instrumental in the Darren Wilson Scholarship Fund which raises money for high school students who want the further their education. The money raised helps students with their tuition, room and board, and purchasing books.

James was so blessed having an amazing wife, three incredible children, three marvelous grandchildren, and four beautiful great grandchildren with two more on the way. He was a wonderful Daddy and Papa. We will miss him very much.

He is survived by his daughters, Tana Hairgrove and husband Tom, Traci Morris and husband Tommy; grandchildren, Brent Gregston and wife Jennifer, Tyler Patterson and wife Amanda, Briana Goodrum and husband E.J.; greatgrandchildren, Noah Gregston, Jonah Gregston, Sadie Patterson, Taegan Goodrum, Baby Ezra Gregston due January 2019, Baby Goodrum due July 2019; brother and sister-in-law, Charles and Rosie Wilson.

Preceded in death by his wife, Lola Wilson; son, James Darren Wilson; father and mother, Buford and Ethel Beasley Wilson; father-in-law, Mac Houston; mother-in-law, Kate Houston.
Pallbearers will be Rick Campbell, Stephen Gamble, Glenn Cordray, Neal Stevenson, David Jacobs and Jody Cooper. Honorary pallbearers will be Brent Gregston, Tyler Patterson, E.J. Goodrum, Tommy Morris and Tom Hairgrove.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Darren Wilson Scholarship Fund, PO Box 1091, Center, Texas 75935.

Online condolences & tributes can be sent at www.watsonandsonsfuneralhome.com