Chester “Chet” Wilson passed away on January 10. He was born on December 26, 1930, to Lee Arthur and Claire Wilson in Rocksprings. He grew up in Del Rio where he met and married Pherba Lee Fisher on January 27, 1950.

Chet enlisted in the military and was a veteran of the Korean War. He later joined the US Border Patrol and graduated from the El Paso Border Patrol Academy in 1955, serving in Arizona, California, and Texas.

He and his family moved to Alpine to open the US Border Patrol station here in 1964. He was a member of the US Border Patrol National Pistol Shooting Team and won many honors. Chet retired from the Border Patrol in December of 1980.

He then served as Brewster County Justice of the Peace. “Judge” Wilson was known as the “marrying judge” and performed numerous weddings in the area until he retired in 1996. After his retirement, he and Pherba traveled in their RV visiting friends and family. He was an avid hunter, fisherman, and storyteller.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 64 years, Pherba, brothers Lee Arthur “Bud” Wilson, Cliff “Baby” Wilson, and his grandson Jason Sanders.

Chester Wilson is survived by his four children, Cheryl (Billy) Nelson of Duncan, OK. Raydell (Tim) Boerjan of Falfurrias, Brenda Wilson of Alpine, Greg (Claudia) Wilson of Crowley, numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, his loving caretakers, Gracie Davila, Crystal Stovell, Isabel Garcia, Jamie Sanders, Claudia Wilson, Carol Hastings, and his cat “Gato”.

A memorial is scheduled on January 27 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the American Legion Big Bend Post 79, 306 West Sul Ross, Alpine. Memorials can be made in his name to the National Border Patrol Museum, 4315 Woodrow Bean Transmountain Dr, El Paso, TX 79924.