Jimmy Wilder of Columbus, Mississippi

July 1, 1938 - December 25, 2018

JIMMY WILDER – James W. “Jimmy” Wilder, Jr., age 80, of Columbus, MS, passed away December 25, 2018, at his residence. Funeral services will be Friday, December 28, 2018, at 2:00 PM at First United Methodist Church with Rev. Jimmy Criddle officiating. The interment will immediately follow at Friendship Cemetery. Visitation will be from 12:30 PM until the time of the service in Carolyn’s Room at First United Methodist Church. Memorial Gunter Peel Funeral Home & Crematory College St. location is in charge of arrangements.

The son of James W. and Miriam Randall Wilder, Mr. Wilder was born July 1, 1938, in Columbus, MS. He was a 1956 graduate of S. D. Lee High School of Columbus and obtained a Bachelor of Business degree from Mississippi State University in 1960. Mr. Wilder served as a Second Lieutenant in the Civil Affairs Unit of the United States Army Reserve. In a lengthy civic career, Mr. Wilder served as president of the Magowah Gun Club and on the Advisory Boards of both Trustmark and Cadence Banks. He served on the Board of Directors of Heritage Academy and was a member of the Rotary Club for over twenty years. He was a past member of the Krewe of Didelphidae, and a volunteer for the United Way, the Heart Fund and the Kidney Foundation. Additionally, he owned Wilder Real Estate and managed numerous city properties. He was an active member of the First United Methodist Church where he was a member of the Ivy Sunday School Class and served as Co-Trustee Chairman and usher.

Mr. Wilder was owner and operator of Big Star Corporation for thirty five years. He was an avid fisherman and hunter, especially enjoying deer, pheasant, and quail hunting. Some of his most memorable hunting trips involved traveling with friends to countries outside the United States.

Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Jean Pennington Wilder of Columbus, MS, daughter, Jeana Wilder Brown and son-in-law Bryan, of Columbus, MS, son, Penn Wilder and daughter-in-law, Saskia, of Bentonville, AR, beloved grandchildren, Brennan Brown and Emery Brown of Columbus, MS, and Andrew Wilder and Chase Wilder of Bentonville, AR, sisters, Karen Wilder Crowe and her husband Ron of Brandon, MS, and Sandra Wilder Murphy and her husband Paul of Louisville, KY, brothers, George Wilder and his wife Madeliene of Montgomery, AL, and David Wilder and his wife Sue of Casselberry, FL, and many nieces and nephews.

Honorary pallbearers will be members of the River Hill Peckerwoods Lunch Group, Wednesday Night Men’s Group, Breakfast Club Group, longtime hunting and fishing friends, former employees of Big Star Corporation, members of the Ivy Sunday School Class of First United Methodist Church, and staff of Kindred Home Care.

The family requests that any memorial gifts be made to the First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 32, Columbus, MS, 39703.