CALVIN, Ky. and GOTHA, Fla.
Ray Wilder, 92, died Sunday, March 19, 2017.
He was born June 29, 1924, in Bell County, Kentucky.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Leonard D. Wilder and Maud Davis Wilder; brothers, Worden Wilder (Lola Moreland), Lewis Wilder (Mattie Brown), Harley Wilder (Mildred Claypool), Walter Wilder, Edgar Kirby (Ethel), Rufus Wilder, Glenn Miracle (Otie) and Sherman Wilder (an infant); sisters, Ida Wilder Davis Hoskins (Rube), Mildred Wilder Shelton (Luther), Gladys Wilder McDonald (Grant), Alice Wilder Maggard (Pascal), Amy Wilder (an infant), Bernice Violet Wilder, Jolene Wilder Moreland (Tom), Leavere Wilder Miracle (Earl), Georgia Wilder (an infant).
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Norma Slinker Wilder; brother HMC Wilder; daughters, Bernice Wilder Zaidel (Frank) of Alabama and Debra Wilder Stermen (David) of Florida, sons: Paul Wilder (Kathy Mayo) of Indiana and Christopher Wilder (Tammy Longbons) of Pennsylvania; 10 grandchildren, Dallas Schloesser (Beth Ingram), Louisville, Kentucky, Amanda Perkins (Allan Downy) and Jesse Wilder of Indianapolis, Daniel Stermen (Danielle Towner) of Orlando, Florida, Sgt. Davin Stermen serving in the U.S. Air Force, Samuel Wilder (Heather Wolsifer) of Greenwood, Airman Zachary Wilder, serving in the U.S. Air Force, and Jenna, Kayla and Sabrina Wilder, of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania; eight great-grandchildren, Sierra Perkins, Axton Taran, Michael Downy, Trinity and Ethan Wolsifer of Indianapolis, Mila Grace and Bowen Schloesser of Louisville, New York and David Herschell Stermen of Florida; many precious nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends from Morgantown, Calvin, Kentucky and various states.
A former resident of Indianapolis and Morgantown, and most recently a resident of Calvin, Kentucky and Gotha, Florida, Ray was with the U.S. Marine Corps (and Reserves) serving in Guadalcanal in World War II and in Korea where he earned a Bronze Star. He was an aircraft mechanic.
He retired from Indianapolis Power and Light Co., working first as a lineman and then a dispatcher for 42 years.
He loved to farm and work outside. One of his main projects was to help restore the Buell Cemetery in Calvin, Kentucky. A board was formed. Serving as president and with others’ help, work was completed.
Then working with PEP (Page Environmental Projects) for recycling and clean roads he earned a Kentucky Colonel title.
A member of First Christian Church of Morgantown, and Riverview Baptist Church of Calvin, Kentucky, Ray was a trusting Christian, a faithful husband, loving father and grandfather and great-grandfather.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. April 29 at Riverview Baptist Church in Calvin, Kentucky. Pastor Allen Sanders will conduct the service.
