BULLINGTON, THOMAS WILSON (1925 ~ 2013). The following is an obituary for Thomas Wilson Bullington. It was published in the Austin American Statesman on December 1, 2013.
BULLINGTON, THOMAS WILSON -Tom W. Bullington was born February 18, 1925 in El Paso, Texas and passed away November 27, 2013 in Austin Texas. Parents were Clyde O. Bullington and wife Lula E. Garrison Bullington.
Tom graduated from Austin High School in El Paso. He is a Past Master Councilor of the Order of DeMolay. Upon graduation from high school he worked for the T & NO Railroad, a branch of the Southern Pacific Railroad, and entered the U.S. Marine Corps on June 5th, 1943. On August 24th, 1943 he married Martha Ann Espey at Mesilla Park, New Mexico.
Tom is survived by his children Jan Meyer of Cedar Park, Tx and Tom Bullington Jr, wife Tina and step-daughter Jackie of Wichita Falls, Tx. He is also survived by three grandchildren; Emily Schmidt and husband Brad of Frisco, Tx. Jonathan Meyer of Houston, Tx and Kim Munoz and husband Patrick of College Station TX. He was dearly loved by his six great grandchildren; Haley Grace, Lily Faith and Kelsey Joy of Frisco, Tx and Marina, Lexi and Abby of College Station, Tx.
Tom was discharged as a S/Sgt. from the Marine Corps on June 16, 1946. In September 1946 he entered the pre-law program at Texas Western University that later became the University of Texas at El Paso. After finishing his pre-law program, Tom entered Baylor University Law School at Waco, Texas in February 1948. He was elected Vice-president of his mid-law class. He received his law license on May 5, 1950 and graduated from Baylor University with a LLB degree on May 28, 1950. On May 30th, 1969 his degree was elevated to a Juris Doctors degree by Baylor University. Tom was a member of the Phi Delta Phi International Legal Fraternity. On May 5, 2006 he had been an attorney and a member of the State Bar of Texas for 56 years.
Tom began the practice of law in Munday, Knox County, Texas in June 1950 where he entered into partnership with Judge Milton F. Billingsley. The law firm carried the partnership name of Billingsley and Bullington. He is a Past President of the Munday Lions Club and is a Past Commander of the American Legion, Lowery Post No. 44. He was elected County Attorney of Knox County, Texas and took office on January 1, 1953 where he continued to serve until he resigned on December 1, 1968 to take a position with Texas Attorney General Crawford Martin as Assistant Attorney General, Chief of Crime Prevention. He also served in that capacity under the administrations of Attorney General John Hill, and Attorney General Mark White.
Tom was admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States, Fifth Circuit Court Appeals and the federal district courts of Texas, the Supreme Court of Texas, and all other state courts of Texas. He also holds an Instructor's Certificate with the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officers Standards and Education.
During the time Tom was an Assistant Attorney General, in the Governor's Office and the Sheriffs' Association of Texas he gave many lectures, as well as, advice touching on the duties of Judges, Peace Officers and Prosecutors. In 1971 Tom created an in-watts service, in the Attorney General's Office, for the target groups to get legal advice, and in the year 2006 it was still in operation. Tom was also noted for producing the "Selected New Legislation" book and making it available to the target groups and has done so since 1971.
On January 18th, 1983 Governor Mark White appointed Tom to the position of Deputy Director of the Criminal Justice Division of the Governor's Office where he served in that capacity until he resigned on December 30, 1986 and was hired on January 1, 1987 as General Counsel for the Sheriffs' Association of Texas. Also during the time Tom served as Deputy Director, Governor Mark White appointed him with additional duties as Interstate Parole Compact Administrator for the State of Texas where he served until his retirement from state government.
Tom served as General Counsel from January 1, 1987 until October 31, 1998 for the Sheriffs' Association of Texas. On November 1, 1998, Tom became the Legal/Technical Advisor for the Sheriffs' Association of Texas. He is a Life Member of the Association. Tom was a member of the Highland Park Baptist Church of Austin, Texas and Past President and one of the teachers of the O.T. Baker Sunday School Class.
Tom's hobbies were hunting, fishing, golfing, gardening, playing duplicate bridge and looking after his dog Ricky.
Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from six thirty until eight o'clock in the evening, on Monday, the 2nd of December 2013, at Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 North Lamar Boulevard, Austin, Texas.
A Graveside service will be conducted at nine thirty in the Morning on Tuesday, the 3rd of December 2013, at the Texas State Cemetery Austin, Texas, under the direction of Cook-Walden Funeral Home. Following the Graveside service a Memorial service will take place at Eleven O'clock at Highland Park Baptist Church 5206 Balcones Dr, Austin, TX 78731. A reception will follow in the church hall, all are invited to attend.
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