Baylor University Mourns Passing of Alumnus, Physician and Former Regent Ronald L. Wilson, M.D.
Contact: Lori Fogleman, 254-709-5959
Follow us: @BaylorUMedia on X and LinkedIn
Baylor University is mourning the death of Ronald L. Wilson, M.D., B.A. ’71, a beloved Waco physician, avid Baylor supporter and former member of the Baylor Board of Regents. Dr. Wilson entered the presence of his Heavenly Father on July 27.
Visitation will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. CT Saturday, Aug. 2, at First Baptist Church Woodway, 101 Ritchie Rd., with a funeral service celebrating Dr. Wilson’s life, his faith and his service to the community at 11 a.m. at the church. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery.
Dr. Wilson attended Southern Arkansas State (now University) on a basketball scholarship. He met Christ at a Baptist Student Union retreat there as a freshman before transferring to Baylor University as a sophomore in the spring of 1970, a notable year as he met his wife, Betty, B.A. ’72, and began his lifelong dedication to Baylor University. He served Baylor in several capacities: a professor, a member of the College of Arts & Sciences Board of Advocates and the Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences Board of Advocates, and as a member of the Baylor Board of Regents from 2010 to 2019.
“Dr. Ron Wilson loved Baylor University and loved the Lord deeply, and he always placed the mission of Baylor University first in all discussions during his service on the Board of Regents,” said former Board Chair Joel T. Allison, B.A. ’70, who served on the Board 2012 to 2020. “Ron was always very willing to speak, even during the most difficult of deliberations, and we were blessed by his dedication as a Regent, proud alumnus of Baylor and beloved physician in our community. My prayers are with Betty and the Wilson family that they may feel the warmth of love and the embrace of cherished memories during this time of sorrow.”
“Dr. Ron Wilson served on the Robbins College Board of Advocates since its inception, and I am honored to have had the opportunity to work with him,” said Jason R. Carter, Ph.D., dean of Robbins College at Baylor. “Through his deep knowledge as a physician, long-time relationship with Baylor College of Medicine and love of and commitment to Baylor University, Ron provided invaluable advice and expertise on a number of matters, most recently the development of the new Physician Assistant Studies program. Ron and Betty are beloved members of the Baylor and Robbins College community, and we come together to lift up prayers of peace and comfort for their family.”
Dr. Wilson graduated from Baylor in 1971 and Baylor College of Medicine in 1974, both with honors. He served as a physician in the United States Air Force until 1983, completing his Internal Medicine Residency and Nephrology Fellowship at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio. He then joined the USAF Medical faculty where he was a Clinical Nephrologist as well as the Director of the Transplant Immunology Laboratory and Director of Hemodialysis until he transitioned into a career in private practice. He was a partner of Central Texas Nephrology Associates in Waco until 2013, when he joined Baylor Scott & White Hillcrest Medical Center, starting an Internal Medicine outpatient clinic where he practiced for another seven years until his retirement. Dr. Wilson’s obituary states: “For Ron, medicine wasn’t just a profession or career but a calling and a ministry. He always said that he ‘loved being a doc.’”
Dr. Wilson was a member of the American Board of Internal Medicine and a fellow of the American College of Physicians. He also was a member of the Texas Medical Association, McLennan County Medical Society and McLennan County Medical Education and Research Foundation. He also was a multiple recipient of the Aysenworth Outstanding Teaching Award in the Family Practice Residency Program.
In addition to his service on Baylor advisory boards, Dr. Wilson was medical director for the Department of Health, Human Performance, Recreation laboratory, a member of the Baylor Bear Foundation and Baylor/Waco Foundation and Endowed Scholarship Society for endowing a National Merit Scholarship. He also served on the steering committee for Lt. Jack Whetsel Jr. Basketball Practice Facility.
He was a member of First Baptist Church Woodway, where he was active in Sunday School and various other activities. “Ron loved the Lord and his church, serving as a deacon, Sunday School teacher and director, and choir member in churches in San Antonio, Corsicana and Waco. His life was one of service to his Lord, his family, his patients, his friends, and to Baylor University,” his obituary stated.
Dr. Wilson is survived by his wife of 52 years, Betty Evelyn Wilson; daughter and son-in-law, Jennifer and Stephen Chakmakjian, and their children, Katie, Caleb and David; and son and daughter-in-law, John and Laura Wilson, and their children, Noelle and Luke. Survivors also include his sister and her husband, Bobbye and Mark Kassing; brother and his wife, Doug and Dee Wilson; brother-in-law and his wife, David and Mary Beth Wilson; and sister-in-law and her husband, Jane Wilson and Bill Hashop.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to The Ronald L. and Betty E. Wilson National Merit Scholarship Fund at Baylor University or The Deans’ Excellence Fund at Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences at Baylor University, both at One Bear Place #97026 Waco, TX 76798. They may also be made to the Waco Family Medicine Foundation 1600 Providence Drive Waco, TX 76707 or the charity of your choice.
ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY
Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked Research 1 institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 20,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions. Learn more about Baylor University at www.baylor.edu.