Quentin was born at William Poca, WV (now forgotten, and considered a
part of Warriormine, WV), on Nov. 21, 1942 to Eston & Jessie
Richardson Wilson. Eston & Jessie had migrated to the coalfields
during the Great Depression from subsistence farms on Stoney Creek in
Carter Co., Tennessee. Despite demonstrated academic talents, both had
ended their formal education early (Eston after 6th grade, Jessie after
8th) due to the hardships which their families suffered during the
Depression. If insufficiently educated, they proved very fertile. Eight
children were born to the Wilsons, four sons & four daughter. Only
six survived to adulthood, of which Quentin was 3rd oldest, and eldest
son.
The large family survived on a sufficiency, if not in plentitude, on
the miner’s wage despite Eston’s tendency to tipple on weekends. Then in
the late ‘50's, Island Creek Coal closed it #3 Bartley mine, leaving the
entire community unemployed. Eston then worked a succession of small
operations for lower earnings before being disabled by stoke at age 48,
the summer before Quentin began high school at Big Creek. Existence for
the entire family became very hard, and saving were soon exhausted.
Quentin, as oldest child at home, was responsible for food, fuel, and
garden, as well as any and all odd jobs for coulee wages, which were
contributed to the family for necessities. All during high school,
Quentin worked 20+ hours per week for family support, while endeavoring
to earn flawless school marks. Frequently tired, sometimes underfed, and
usually sleep-short, it was small wonder that he had little interest in
sports or physical education class.
Quentin attended Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia on
academic scholarship immediately after graduation from Big Creek,
graduating in chemistry. After 1 year as a chemist in the oil industry,
he converted to petroleum engineer. After working for a series of major
oil companies all over Texas, he settled in Amarillo, Texas, where he
has been an independent oilman since 1984.
Quentin married Glenna Easley when a senior at
Marshall. They had three daughters, Laura, Jocelyn, and Heather. They
divorced after 19 years. He remained single for 5 years, then married
Janice Birkholz, a practicing CPA. They founded a family owned real
estate development company, which Quentin runs in addition to various
oil and gas consulting and promoting activities.
Quentin, along with the other Original Rocket
Boys, makes numerous appearances to talk about their boyhood experiences
in the BCMA at schools and various other organizations. In August of
1999, Quentin was a guest speaker at the annual Tripoli Rocket Launch
(LDRS 18) in Kansas, where along with hundreds of amateur rocket
enthusiasts, he helped launch a replica of the "Miss Riley" rocket used
in the movie.
Quentin is an experienced public speaker, and is
a certified Accredited Toastmaster (ATM) with 25 years in Toastmasters,
International.
Quentin, along with the other Rocketboys, is
proud to have been named an honorary inductee of "The National Gallery
for America's Young Inventors" in September, 1999. He strongly supports
"Partnership for America's Future", which promotes and supports the
inventiveness of America's Youth through "The National Gallery for
America's Young Inventors"
E-mail Quentin at: quentinwilson@hotmail.com
Quentin Wilson