Miles Davis Wilson, dedicated Christian, beloved family man, avid outdoorsman, and trusted banker, passed away on February 15, 2026 in Austin, Texas. He was 93.

Miles was born in Denison, Texas, on January 7, 1933, to Carl Walton and Virginia (Davis) Wilson. After graduating from Denison High School, he attended Oklahoma Military Academy, and later, the University of Texas in Austin. There he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Finance and Banking in 1954. While a student at UT, Miles became a member of the ROTC and joined the Alpha Tau Omega social fraternity. He was elected house manager for ATO his senior year, and as such, had the responsibility of supervising the house staff. For the first time in his life, he had to fire someone -- one of the custodians. He felt so bad about it that, true to his character, he reached into his own pocket to give the man a separation payment.

Miles launched his banking career in 1954. He cut his teeth as an examiner for the National Department of Banking in Abilene, Texas. During his tour of duty in Abilene, he met and roomed with Woody McCasland, another bank examiner, who became his life-long friend. Together they discovered many, if not most, of the lakes within driving distance, and especially became fond of the Highland Lakes in Central Texas. Miles loved to tell the story that he and Woody became roommates but didn’t meet face to face for weeks because of their different travel schedules throughout West Texas. They just wrote notes and left money to pay the rent, the utilities, and the housekeeper.

During his years in Abilene, Miles bought a boat and enjoyed boating with friends whenever their schedules allowed. On one particular outing to Lake Brownwood, a friend set him up with a cute schoolteacher named Carolyn Haley. When she opened the door, he said that she “knocked him off his feet,” true love struck, and they married in July 1961. Earning a promotion to senior examiner in 1962, Miles and Carolyn moved to Houston, Texas, while expecting their first child. Miles loved meeting and talking to bankers and others in the booming metropolitan city near the Gulf Coast. Miles interviewed a real estate investor who explained his success: “I just go out and buy land by the acre and then sell it by the square foot!”

Henry, the first black person hired to be part of the examining force in the 11th District, was assigned to Miles' team in Houston. If they were going to some of the smaller towns and staying overnight, Miles had to be sure the motel would accept Henry and the restaurants would let him eat with them. In the early 60s, the answer to those questions was very often, “No!” If that was the case, Miles would check with the other Houston area crews to see if they were commuting or going to towns where Henry could eat and sleep. If none of them were, Miles would change his team’s itinerary so they could commute.

In 1964, Miles accepted the presidency of the First National Bank in Bellville, Texas. He was asked in the interview, “Boy, do you know how to run a bank?” Having examined that bank himself he calmly replied, “I certainly know how NOT to run one.”

In one of his first acts as bank president in 1964, Miles removed the signage “COLORED” over a water fountain and restroom. Most certainly, it was Henry who had given Miles the compassion and courage to enact such a bold change at the beginning of this new career and at a time when such changes were not common. In Bellville, Miles devoted himself to community civic duties which included being a member of the Lion’s Club, a board member of Bellville Community Hospital, and a member of the supervisory committee for the newly constructed low-income housing. In addition, Miles directed the planning and construction of a new and larger building to house the growing bank. Many people who knew Miles during his banking years remember his friendliness, quick smile, ready laugh, and easy-going personality. His greatest joy as a banker was to see his customers realize their dreams.

Miles also rekindled his love of tennis, organizing lessons for young children and adults by helping establish the Brenham-Bellville Tennis Association. The Wilson home was always open to the friends of his and Carolyn’s children, and Miles used his boat to teach many of them to fish and waterski. During the years in Bellville, Miles hunted and fished with new and old friends, enjoying the favorite sports of his since his childhood days with his father. Carolyn recalls a very happy day for Miles when he returned home from a successful early morning dove hunt, quickly exchanged his shotgun for a fishing rod, and headed to the lake. In the early 1980s, Miles was chosen to serve on the board of directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. There, he was able to further his goal of helping build strong economies in local communities across Texas and beyond. Miles served with the Federal Reserve until 1986.

Relocating to Austin in 1987, Miles caught up with long-time friend, Woody McCasland, and soon joined him as a director and Executive VP at Highland Lakes Bank in Kingsland, Texas, where he remained active until 2004. At his retirement, Miles reminisced that his career had ended on a perfect note -- working and having lunch every day with one of his best friends. Miles was a member of the Westover Hills Church of Christ in Austin, serving as deacon. For 25 years he and Carolyn oversaw Freedom Church, an outreach to the formerly incarcerated community at Austin Transitional Center. Although many members of Freedom Church credit him with mentoring them toward a different way of life, Miles frequently spoke of how God used that community to change his own life in even more significant ways.

In addition to his wife, Carolyn, Miles is survived by son Andy Wilson and daughter-in-law Heidi; daughter Stacy Wilson Westover and son-in-law Mike; daughter-in-law Michelle Self Wilson; grandchildren M’Kenzie Wilson (Alyssa), Davis Wilson, Abby Westover Peña-Lobel (Carlos), Keller Wilson, Chase Westover, Miles Austin Wilson, and Chad Westover; niece Winifred Wilson (Dave), nephews Walton Wilson (Barbara) and Sloan Wilson (Claudia, children Catalina, Cruz, Matias) and sister-in-law Sandra Wilson. He was predeceased by son Haley Wilson, brother Carl Walton Wilson, and parents Carl and Virginia Wilson. There are numerous others who considered Miles a brother, father, or grandfather and became like family to him throughout his life. His legacy is extensive, and he is deeply missed by many.

The family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions in Miles Wilson’s name be directed to:

1. Ramjaane Joshua Foundation, c/o Westover Hills Church of Christ, 8332 Mesa Drive, Austin, TX 78759-8197.  This foundation is an outreach to refugees, or

2. InKind, Inc., c/o Westover Hills Church of Christ, 8332 Mesa Drive Austin, TX 78759-8197. This organization is an outreach to single mothers and others in need.

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