SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 21
In Memory
of
Charles Winters Wilson
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas honors and
commemorates the life of Charles "Hong Kong" Winters Wilson, who
died January 11, 2013, at the age of 91; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Wilson was a global force in the fields of
military and commercial aviation; he was born to fly, it seems,
and his contributions while navigating the wild blue yonder were
many; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Wilson was born June 9, 1921, in Dublin,
Texas; early in his life, he knew he wanted to be a pilot, and the
fastest route to flight school was through the Royal Canadian Air
Force, which he joined at age 19; and
WHEREAS, The attack on Pearl Harbor prompted him to enlist in
the United States Army Air Corps; he became a command pilot of the
B-17 Flying Fortress and flew 28 combat missions with the legendary
100th Bomb Group, 350th Squadron; after combat, he participated in
Operation Chowhound, an aerial food relief effort over Holland, and
he was among the pilots who retrieved French prisoners of war from
Austria and returned them to Paris; and
WHEREAS, After World War II, Mr. Wilson joined Philippine
Airlines in Manila; while based in the island capital, he met and
married Consuelo Taylor, a flight attendant who would become his
lifelong love; the couple enjoyed 65 years of marriage and raised
four children; and
WHEREAS, His illustrious commercial career included his
piloting of the first eastbound DC6 revenue flight across the
Pacific Ocean and a three-year stint with Ethiopia Airlines;
later, he returned stateside and flew for Transco Company in
Houston; during his career above the clouds, Hong Kong Wilson
flew several noteworthy aircraft, including the Tiger Moth and
the Falcon Jet; and
WHEREAS, A man of courage, strength, and compassion, he
gave generously to others, and he leaves behind memories that
will be cherished forever by his family and countless friends;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 83rd
Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved
family of Charles Winters Wilson; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
the members of his family as an expression of high esteem from the
Texas Senate, and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so
in memory of Charles Wilson.
Fraser, Taylor
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on January 23, 2013, by
a rising vote.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate