Posted on Oct 30, 2014 in
FEATURES
Dianne and Bob Wilson
By Sarah Bearden –
Wilson is known for her professionalism, and her contributions to the business community are indelible. “Dianne has saved the business community thousands of man hours and dollars by making it possible to both e-file and read online all recorded documents,” said Lynne Humphries of Allen Boone Humphries Robinson LLP. “She has put what was a rural community county 32 years ago to the leader of the pack. And she has served us as a dedicated public servant committed to making her community better than the way she found it.”
Through the years, Wilson has served as a speaker and facilitator at clerks’ educational conferences, as well as authored over 40 articles in various professional governmental journals and over 45 successful legislative bills for the Clerks’ Association. Wilson has also attained numerous awards, including the Sam D. Seale Trailblazer Award of Excellence in 2003, County Clerk of the Year Award in 1997 and Public Elected Official of the Year in 2006.
An inaugural member of Texana Center’s Board of Trustees since 1999, Wilson was elected chair in 2005 and still serves in that capacity. “Since our autism programs opened several years ago, Dianne has been a public advocate for early intervention and treatment,” said George Patterson, CEO of Texana Center. “In any public event in which she speaks about Texana, autism treatment is always prominent. She has also worked closely with our elected representatives in the Texas Legislature to advocate for increased funding for autism programs.”
Wilson has been married to Bob since 1969. “No way can one do anything well for 32 years without having a wonderful and generous spouse,” Wilson said. Bob and Dianne have one son, Christopher, who resides in Australia with his wife Kimberlee and two children.
What’s next for Wilson? “I will continue to be on the Chairman of the Board of Texana Center and be involved in other non-profits. We have much traveling to do over the next decade. I will enjoy improving my skills in oil and acrylic painting and even dip my toe into acting.” According to Bob, “Dianne is a huge Elvis fan. She’s very adventuresome and willing to grab a suitcase on a moment’s notice to travel just about anywhere on the globe at least once.”
“Family and many friends have joined me and supported me on this journey, and for that I will be forever grateful. There is so much to see and do that I don’t know if there will be enough time during my life – and I plan to live long,” said Wilson. “As the saying goes, ‘Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, champagne in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming ‘Woo hoo – what a ride!’”
