More detail on this person: On February 24, 1944, David Lee Wansley was born at home in Mineola, Texas to J.T. and Amie Lee Wansley. He attended Lone Grove Schools through the eighth grade, then Quitman High School, and he graduated from Troup High School. After graduation, he moved to Corsicana to attend Navarro College and worked full-time at King's Grocery where he met the love of his life, Carol King. Dave and Carol dated for five years and were married April 22, 1967 while he was serving in the U.S. Army as a helicopter pilot. The couple was first stationed in Fayetteville, North Carolina, then Dave was deployed to Vietnam. During his seven month deployment, Dave was flying a rescue mission when his helicopter was shot down. Dave sustained significant injuries. On March 14, 1969, Dave and Carol welcomed their only child, Laura Ann Wansley, while stationed at Ft. Walters Military Institute where Dave served as a flight instructor. For his service to his country, David was awarded the Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, and was honorably discharged. David's career with the Texas Department of Public Safety as a highway patrolman began in LaGrange, Texas, and he also served in Commerce where he graduated with a B.S. in Criminal Justice from TexasA & M - Commerce. Next, David was stationed in Quitman where he was recruited by the TX DPS Aircraft section to be a helicopter pilot in Lubbock. For his heroism on a number of occasions, David was named the DPS Trooper of the Year.After retirement from his last post with DPS in Mineral Wells, Dave and Carol moved to Florida to be near their daughter. There, David was employed by FLIR Corporation, selling and demonstrating see-in-the-dark cameras for law enforcement helicopters. David was an avid golfer and fisherman. In retirement, Dave and Carol made their homes in Corsicana, Temple, and Holly Lake Ranch. David was preceded in death by his parents, his in-laws, Mr. and Mrs. James King, and his daughter. Also preceding him were his brothers Donald, Jerry, and Bill Wansley. He is survived by Carol King Wansley, his wife of 56 years. He is also survived by his sister Katie Wansley Tournage, several nieces and nephews, his bonus daughter, Shellie O'Neal, his bonus granddaughter, Jaelyn Bergey, and many treasured friends. Funeral services will be held at Corley's Funeral Home Saturday, June 3. Visitation will be at 10 a.m., followed by an 11 a.m. service. Interment will be at Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen, Texas on Monday, June 12 at 3 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you contribute to the charity of your choice in David's honor.
Burial information: Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery
This information was last updated 08/28/2023
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Date posted on this site: 10/13/2025
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