Bruce Wilson

Bruce Wilson died on Sunday, August 3, 2014. He was born in Clarion, Iowa on October 26, 1944 and was 69 years of age. Bruce was preceded in death by his parents, James Sanford and Ruth Beckett Wilson. He is survived by his wife, Myra Shelton Wilson; son, Raymond Bruce Wilson; step daughter, Melissa Shelton; stepson, Chris Shelton and his wife, Melany; sister, Susan and brother-in-law, Dan Allbritton, brother, Bob Wilson and sister-in-law, Lidia; brother-in-law, Charles Franz and the lights of his life, five beautiful granddaughters, Windy Wilson, Alex and Annie Shelton and Savannah and Molly Shelton; four nephews and his best friend, Alvin Finch. Bruce graduated from Mabelvale High School in 1962 and attended Arkansas State Teacher's College (UCA). He began working for the Arkansas Democrat throwing papers and was awarded a "top carrier" award for his job performance. During college, he worked nights and weekends at the paper stuffing inserts in the daily and Sunday papers. He started his owned mailing business after leaving the paper and when the opportunity arose to purchase his first roller skating rink with Troy Braswell, he was off and running with his long time love of skating. Bruce was a regional men's skating champion and coached many young men and women to success in that field. Bruce owned five skating rinks in the Central Arkansas area. On down the road he left the skating business and went to work for Heritage Building Systems and after several years there opened Advantage Steel Buildings in North Little Rock with his partner, Wayne Miller. His son, Raymond now runs the business. About four years ago, Bruce retired from the business and he and Myra moved to Hot Springs. They built a home on Lake Hamilton where he enjoyed looking across at the National Forest and watching the multitude of critters. He loved horse racing and he and Myra spent every Friday and Saturday at the track. Bruce loved to dance and made numerous friends over the years from dancing at Bobbie Sox and being one of the charter members of Little Rock Bop Club and Spa City Bop Club. He and Myra met on the dance floor at the Little Rock Bop Club and had 10 wonderful, magical years of sharing their hobby. Bruce was a kind, loving and generous husband, father and grandfather. He loved being surrounded by friends and telling stories. Bruce especially loved the many friends that he made through the Elks Lodge in Hot Springs. He truly enjoyed and looked forward to the almost daily gin games at the club. Bruce will greatly missed by his family and friends who always knew it was him on the phone with his signature "What's going on". Memorials may be made to CARTI Foundation, P.O. Box 55011, Little Rock, Arkansas 72231. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m., Thursday, August 7th at St. James United Methodist Church. Burial will be in Rest Hills Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, August 6th at Smith-North Little Rock Funeral Home. Online obituary at www.smithfamilycares.com.