Mr. J.W. Wilder

Services for J.W. Wilder, 83, of Minden, beloved husband of Elsie Hays Wilder for 64 years, will be held at Crawford-A. Crim Funeral Home at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, June 20, 2013 with Revs. Jim Conway and Matt Pitts officiating. Burial will follow in Maple Grove Cemetery under the direction of Crawford-A. Crim Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, June 19, 2013, at Crawford-A. Crim Funeral Home. J.W. peacefully passed away surrounded by family on June 17, 2013, at his home. He was born Sept. 3, 1929, in Rusk County, to the late Jones Wilder and Ruby Johnston Wilder. In the midst of World War II, he joined the U.S. Navy and served two years in the Pacific Theatre. He returned to meet the love of his life, Elsie Lee Hays, of Minden and they were joined in marriage in 1948 and had two children, Donna Lou and Billy Jay Wilder. He was a Master Mason of Clinton Lodge #23 A.F. & A.M. of Henderson and a 32nd Degree Mason of the Scottish Rite Valley of Waco, belonging to both for over 50 years. J.W. was a plumber in his earlier years, owning City Plumbing of Henderson, along with business partner Buford Coode. He later became owner of Henderson Livestock Commission for many years. When retiring he lived out the rest of his life enjoying his ranch, his cows, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was a caring and giving man, very generous and never wanted to see anyone go without. His family meant the world to him. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Bill Wilder and wife Marilyn; granddaughter, Rachel Lee Wilder. His survivors include, his wife, Elise Lee Hays Wilder; a daughter, Donna Lou Wilder; a son, Billy Jay Wilder and wife Jolynn, all of Minden; brother, Odis Wilder and wife Vivian Tillison Wilder of Lafayette, La.; a sister, Clara Oldham and husband Jim of Longview; grandchildren, Joshua W. Poole, A. Aaron Paul, Bailey N. Wilder; and great-grandchildren, Rhett Mikel Paul, J.W. Ryder Paul, David Pierce Wilder; and numerous nephews and nieces and a host of friends. Pallbearers are Louis Hall, Clay Wilder, Brent Wilder, Joe Wilder, James Hall, David Perry, Jerry Hall, and Perry Penney. Honorary pallbearers are Buddy Jarrell, Mack Pool, Don Jarrell, Bo Nichols, Lawrence Jarrell, Ronnie Cook, Kenneth Soloman, and Odis Chapman. Memorial Contributions may be made to the Minden Baptist Church, PO Box 160, Minden, TX, 75680, or American Cancer Society, 1301 S Broadway Ave Tyler, TX 75701. Condolences may be made online at www.crawfordacrim.com.

Mr. J.W. Wilder

September 3, 1929 - June 17, 2013