James Allen Big Jim Wilder

James Allen "Big Jim" Wilder, age 86, of 505 North Fifth Avenue, a former resident of the Dykes Creek Community, Rome, died Wednesday morning, February 7th, 2007, at Fifth Avenue HealthCare.
A native of Peach County, GA., Mr. Wilder was born on December 25th, 1920, the son of the late Charles A. and Beulah Jones Wilder. He had been a resident of Floyd County since 1972, moving here from Peach County, GA. and was a member of the Mizpah United Methodist Church. Mr. Wilder was a veteran of World War II and the Korean Conflict having served in the United States Navy for 20 years, retiring in 1959 as a Chief Petty Officer. Mr. Wilder was a member of Fort Valley Masonic Lodge #100 F&AM, was a member of Royal Arch, Council and Knights Templar of Fort Valley, Georgia. For many years prior to his retirement, Mr. Wilder owned and operated an Auto Paint and Body Shop. Mr. Wilder was married on June 25th, 1972 to May Belle Prater Wilder who preceded him in death on April 16th, 2005.
Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Becky and Tommy Tucker of Orlando, Fla.; 1 son and daughter-in-law, Billy and Priscilla Wilder of Atmore, Ala.; 4 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren survive as do a sister, Estelle Hallman of Fort Valley, Ga. Nieces and nephews also survive.
Funeral services for Mr. Wilder will be held this (Friday) morning, February 9th, 2007, at 11 o'clock at the Mizpah United Methodist Church with the Rev. Brad Prater and Rev. Joyce Williamson officiating. Interment will follow in the family lot of East View Cemetery with the Shanklin-Attaway American Legion Post #5 Honor Guard conducting military graveside rites.
The following will serve as active pallbearers, Danny Drummond, Manford Gregory, Melvin Grogan, Wendell Fincher, Jarrell Cagle and Jerry Lumpkin and are requested to meet at the church on Friday morning by 10:00.
The family received friends at the funeral home on Thursday evening from 6 until 8 o'clock.
Please join the family in honoring James Allen "Big Jim" Wilder by visiting www.talleysparkviewchapel.com and posting your tributes and memories.
Fred Talley's Parkview Chapel Funeral Home has charge of the funeral arrangements for James Allen "Big Jim" Wilder.