Tom R. Wilson III died Sunday, May 17, 2009. He was 39.

Born in Newton, Kan., he had been a resident of Vicksburg since 1985.

Deputy Wilson was a 1987 graduate of Warren Central High School. He graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi, receiving a degree in criminal justice in 1991. While at Southern, he served as a member of the Campus Police Department.

Deputy Wilson began his professional career as an intern with the Warren County Sheriff’s Department in 1991 and accepted a position with the Vicksburg Police Department on Feb. 4, 1992, serving until December 2007. He served as a Warren County Deputy Sheriff from January 2008 until the time of his death.

He was a member of the Southern States Police Benevolent Association and other professional Peace Officers Associations. He was a member of the Baptist faith.

He is survived by his wife, Betty J. Wilson of Vicksburg; two sons, Tyler D. Tharp and Colin R. Wilson, both of Vicksburg; his parents, Tom R. and Shelby Wilson of Hamburg; one brother, Judd Wilson of Clinton; and his paternal grandmother, Maud Wilson of Palmetta, Ga.

He was preceded in death by his brother, David Noel Wilson.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Bowmar Baptist Church with the Revs. Terry White and James Busby officiating. Burial will be at Green Acres Memorial Park Cemetery with full honors. Riles Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Visitation will be at Bowmar Baptist Church from 9 a.m. Wednesday until the hour of the service.  

Pallbearers will be Billy Brown, Ford Emery, John Elfer, Jerry Walker, Bo McLeod, Riley Nelson, Bobby Stewart and Tyler Tharp.

Honorary pallbearers will be Randy Wright, David W. Province, Sheriff Martin Pace, the Warren County Sheriff’s Department, the Vicksburg Police Department, the Vicksburg Fire Department and the 911 Dispatch staff.

Memorials may be made to the Mississippi Sheriffs’ Boys and Girls Ranch, a Division of Palmer Home for Children, P.O. Box 746, Columbus, MS 39703 or to favorite charities.