Funeral services for Calvin Leo Wilson, 54, were held at the Indian Village Assembly of God Church on Saturday, November 30, 2024, at 10 a.m. with Pastor Keith Tucker officiating the service. Interment followed at the Alabama-Coushatta Tribal Cemetery.
Calvin was born to Jessie Sylestine Wilson and Alvin Wilson in Woodville, Texas. He attended Woodville and Big Sandy public schools and obtained a GED certificate. Calvin was a member of the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas and was affiliated with the Deer Clan.
Calvin was employed in numerous fields of work. As a teenager, he spent his summers working at the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas’ tourism program as a drummer/singer, having been influenced to learn the art of native singing and drumming by the late Obrey Alec. He worked as a teacher assistant at the Tribe’s Head Start Program, in the retail department as a smoke shop clerk and as a landscaper in the landscaping department. He was also certified as an ironworker and was a part of the team that constructed what is now known as Minute Maid Park.
Calvin enjoyed sports and played football and basketball in high school and with the local Skins basketball team. In addition, he was a drummer/singer and enjoyed participating in powwows throughout the region, having served as the head singer at numerous powwows. He would sing with the Eagle’s Nest drum group. He composed several native songs that are sung at local powwows.
Calvin is preceded in death by his parents, Alvin and Jessie Sylestine Wilson; sister and brother-in-law, Gretchen Downing John and Winston John; grandparents, Clara Faye Sylestine Battise and Alicia and Herbert John; aunt and uncle, Rachel and Hobby Williams Sr.; and uncle, Malcolm Sylestine.
Calvin is survived by his beloved Dara Williams of the Alabama-Coushatta Reservation; son and daughter in law Brent and Traci Thompson of the Alabama-Coushatta Reservation, son and daughter in law Caleb and Selena Wilson of the Alabama-Coushatta Reservation, daughter Faith Thompson of the Alabama-Coushatta Reservation; sister, Cheryl Downing of the Alabama-Coushatta Reservation, sister and brother-in-law Carla and Filiberto Ramirez of Livingston, Texas; uncle, Charley Sylestine of the Alabama-Coushatta Reservation; aunt and uncle, Arlene and Ben Thompson of the Alabama-Coushatta Reservation; aunt Lora Langley of Elton, Louisiana; special parents Roland and Delores Poncho of the Alabama-Coushatta Reservation and many cherished family members and friends.
Calvin has 11 grandchildren that he loved dearly and enjoyed spending as much time as he could with them: Ke’Tanah Thompson, Alici Thompson, Gabriela Battise, Layla Thompson, Timothy Royce Thompson, Wanihka Williams, Mahli Williams, Skyler Battise, Amora Thompson, Adriel Thompson and Windola Thompson.
Calvin was escorted to his final resting place at the Alabama-Coushatta Tribal Cemetery by family members and friends Garrison Abbey, Sheldon Thompson, Stewart Poncho, Forrest Bullock, Delyn Bullock, Kirk Battise, Casey Johnson and Daniel Williams. Honorary Pallbearers were Kerwin Williams, Kyle Eagle Williams, Mark Langley, Joey McCrea and Kristian Poncho.
Cochran Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Please sign our online guestbook at www.cochranfh.com. 496
