R. Joseph “Joe” Wilson passed away peacefully on September 29, 2026, at St. Dominic Hospital in Jackson, Mississippi, with his family by his side. Joe will be remembered for his humor, brightening a room with a song, sometimes whistled or sung as a lullaby, and living his values, making him both a hero and a home base for many.

Joe was born October 11, 1943, in Louisville, Kentucky, as the first son of Richard P. Wilson and Nelle O’Mara Wilson. Joe graduated from Jena High School in 1961, from Northeast Louisiana State College in 1965, and from Tulane University Law School in 1968. Joe returned home to Jena in 1973 to join the firm of Gaharan & Richey, which eventually became Wilson & Wilson. For his work, Joe garnered respect throughout Louisiana, especially for his knowledge of oil and gas law, and inspired his children and grandchildren alike to pursue professional excellence. He practiced law in Jena with his brother, Don, until his death, and for over 50 years, Joe filled the firm with love and laughter. He was, and will always be, the Senior Partner.

Joe is survived by his wife of 35 years, Jeanne Gates Wilson; three children, Dr. James Michael Wilson (Pinky) of Houston, Texas, Richard G. Wilson (Kimberly) of Houston, Texas, and Kathleen Wilson Paul (Duane) of Jena, Louisiana; two stepchildren, Brooke Talley Taylor (Jonathan) and Ben Talley, both of West Monroe, Louisiana; and eleven grandchildren and one great grandchild. Joe is also survived by a brother, Donald R. Wilson (Clare), and a sister, Jean Wilson deVries (Don), as well as nieces, great nieces and great nephews. Joe will be missed fiercely by the family for whom he coached baseball teams, attended – and officiated – weddings and graduations, made Christmases magical, and offered wise counsel from a rocking chair.

Joe and Jeanne lived in Urania, Louisiana, before moving to West Monroe, Louisiana. For many years, Joe found a home at Urania Baptist Church where he was a member and served as song leader for 16 years. At the time of his death, Joe was a member of Oak Grove Baptist Church in Eros, Louisiana.

Joe remained committed to serving his community, and the value of his leadership was recognized in kind. He served on the LaSalle General Hospital Board of Directors and Hardtner Medical Center Board, served as Director of the Cliff Williams Memorial Foundation and Chairman of the LaSalle Parish Indigent Defender Board, and was an officer in the LaSalle Parish Bar Association. He also served as President of the LaSalle Golf and Country Club. His golfing buddies are included among the many who will miss Joe dearly.

A celebration of life will be held at 3:00PM Saturday, October 3, 2026 Oak Grove Baptist Church, Eros, LA. Visitation will be held from 1:00PM until service time on Saturday at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests those who wish to express sympathy to consider making a donation to the Cliff Williams Memorial Foundation: https://cliffwilliams.org/donations