William Bruce Wisley, Sr.

William Bruce Wisley, Sr., known to his family and friends as Bill, was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on May 9, 1932, to Earl Jackson Bruce Wisley and LeAutha (Tucker) Wisley. During the Great Depression, Earl and LeAutha moved their family to Dallas, Texas, in search of work and a better life. After serving two active years in the United States Navy during the Korean War as both a cook and a gunner, Bill came home and married his sweetheart, Bonnie Lou Cokerham. Thus began 68 years of marriage, love, adventure, faith, and family. Bill graduated from North Dallas High School, where he proudly wore number 50 on the football team. He attended Scofield Memorial Bible Church, where he met Bonnie on a blind date. At first, Bonnie didn't particularly like Bill—but thankfully, that story had a much happier ending! Bill and Bonnie began their married life by attending LeTourneau College in Longview, Texas, where their first child, Deborah, was born. After college, Bill accepted a position with Texas Instruments, and the family moved to Garland, Texas. Their family soon grew. Karen was born just 15 months later, followed seven years afterward by their first son, William Bruce Wisley, Jr.—a welcome surprise after two little girls in pink frills. Two years later, Vickie arrived, completing the family. Bill worked hard to provide for his family, but he was never one to stop learning. He returned to college at night and, 15 years later, earned his degree in Physics and Mathematics. He eventually left Texas Instruments and joined Rockwell International/Alcatel, where he worked as a Quality Assurance Manager. But Bill was about much more than work. One of his greatest loves was flying. He loved to build, experiment, and create, and before long he was flying an airplane of his own design—his very own "Bill Original." There were always three places you could count on finding Bill: in the garage, underneath a car he was fixing for one of his children, or at the airport. Bill also owned a BMW motorcycle and enjoyed traveling across the country with Bonnie riding on the back and holding on for dear life. Whether Bonnie enjoyed those weekend adventures as much as Bill did is still up for debate! He loved adventure and no matter where he was, he was singing or witnessing to others about the Good News. Bill's faith in Jesus Christ was at the very center of his life. As a young boy, he accepted Christ at a Good News Club in his neighborhood. One day, the teacher asked if anyone knew someone who could play the piano. Bill proudly raised his hand and nominated his mother, LeAutha. To make a long story short, his mother was also led to Christ through that Good News Club while playing the piano. That experience began their family's regular attendance at Scofield Memorial Bible Church and a life devoted to their faith. Throughout his life, Bill never stopped sharing his faith. It was not uncommon to wake up at Bill and Bonnie's house and discover a dozen young people who had been witnessed to by Bill the night before. They sometimes would not go home because they wanted to hear more about Bill's description of Jesus and the ultimate debt He paid "in full" for their lives. Bill wanted everyone to know that Jesus loved them and that all they had to do was believe and trust in Him. Many of these young men went on to develop deep relationships with Jesus, changing both their hearts and the paths of their lives. Only Jesus knows the full number of people Bill witnessed to, encouraged, and helped redirect. Bill also loved music. He had the privilege of singing in the chorus for the Dallas Opera, and while he enjoyed singing, opera was not what he wanted to sing about. His heart belonged to singing in the church choir and being asked to sing solos. Two of his favorite songs were "Now I Belong to Jesus" and "How Great Thou Art. In a beautiful and deeply personal moment, Bonnie sang, "Now I Belong to Jesus" to Bill during his final minutes on earth. It was a sweet and precious way to usher Bill into heaven to meet his personal Savior, Jesus. We can picture him now, singing with God's heavenly choir. Bill Wisley went to his planned homegoing on Sunday, November 8, 2020, at 10:23 p.m. He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl Jackson Bruce and LeAutha (Tucker) Wisley, and his little brother, Jackson Wisley. He was survived by his beautiful bride of 68 years, Bonnie Lou (Cokerham) Wisley; his brothers, Jerry Wisley and wife Linda, and Tommy Wisley and wife Sandy; and his children, his "yellow roses of Texas," Deborah (Wisley) Johnson and Karen (Wisley) Fite and her husband, Tony; his one and only son, William Bruce Wisley, Jr., and his wife, Wendy; and the baby of the family, Vickie (Wisley) Johnson. Bill was also blessed with 18 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. Among those who survive him are Carmen Franks and her husband, Brett; Tracy Fite and wife, Kelly; BJ Johnson; Stephen Fite and wife, Paola; Tiffany Patton and husband, Jason; Aaron Johnson and wife, Lindsay; Jennifer Johnson; Jessica Johnson and husband, Matt Runnels; Timothy Johnson; Trey Wisley; and Hannah Wisley. He is also survived by wonderful nieces, nephews, and many very special friends. Bill was a husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, friend, adventurer, inventor, pilot, mechanic, singer, and faithful servant of Jesus Christ. He lived a full and remarkable life, leaving behind a legacy of faith, love, laughter, family, and countless lives touched by his testimony. And so, we will end this obituary the same way we began every family gathering—with a 20-minute prayer led by Bill Wisley, lovingly known as Dad and Papa. A celebration of both Bill and Bonnie Wisley will be held on Tuesday, November 10, 2026 at Charles W. Smith & Sons Funeral Home, located at 2925 5th Street, Sachse, Texas 75048 at 10:00 a.m. We extend an invitation to all who want to come to honor these two faithful testaments of God’s Good News. They are both HOME!