William Edgar “Wild Bill” Wilder, WB4YMV, AF3E, former resident of Birmingham and a resident of Fairhope, died Saturday, Jan. 31, 2009.
He was born June 19, 1931 in Macon, Ga., to Edgar Boykin Wilder and Lena May Harrison Wilder.
He graduated from Rockmart High School, Rockmart, Ga., at age 16. He joined the U.S. Coast Guard and was an ET2 on the U.S.C.G.S. Vance from 1950 to 1953. He attended Georgia Tech before becoming a life insurance underwriter for Life of Georgia. He worked for Protective Life Insurance Company in Birmingham and Loyal American Life Insurance in Mobile before his retirement.
His affiliations included Hoover Valley Lion’s Club (past president), Birmingham Area Amateur Radio Club, South Baldwin Amateur Radio Club, American Radio Relay League (Life Member) and numerous life underwriters organizations.
His greatest joys were his grandchildren. His interests included ham radio, Naval military history, Alabama football, model airplanes and trains and following NASCAR.
Survivors include his beloved wife of 48 years, Anne Fair Wilder of Fairhope; daughter, Robin Wilder (James A.) Charlton of Daphne; son, William James Wilder; grandchildren, Lindsay Alaine Charlton, Harrison James Charlton, Shanna Nicole Wilder and William Craig Wilder; sister, Mary Anne (S.N.) Bird of Macon, Ga.; many cousins and friends.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
The family requests memorial donations be made to the American Cancer Society or the American Heart Association.
Cremation arrangements are by Cason Funeral Service, Foley.
