John William Wilder Sr.

Mr. Wilder is survived by his wife of 48 years, Betty Law Wilder; his son, Bill Wilder; his sister, Kay Franke of Atlanta, Georgia, and beloved nieces, nephews and close friends.

Mr. Wilder was preceeded in death by his father, William Jennings Wilder; his mother, Margaret Ingram Bagley; his step-father, Jack Bagley of Oxford, Alabama; his step-mother, Jesse Wilder of Jacksonville, Florida; and his infant son, Shane Wilder of Birmingham.

Mr. Wilder was born in Talladega, Alabama. After graduating from Talladega High School, he attended the University of Alabama where he received a B.S. and L.L.D. degree. In 1960, he was elected President of the Alabama Law School Student Body and the Board of Editors of the Alabama Law Review. In 1961, he was admitted to the Alabama Bar Association. He served as President of the Birmingham Trial Lawyers Association in 1962. He practiced law for 46 years.

Mr. Wilder began service in the Alabama Air National Guard in 1961 and received a commission as a Captain in the U.S. Army. He faithfully served in the office of the Judge Advocate General until his discharge in 1967.

Mr. Wilder served the the Birmingham community as a member of the Mayor's Youth Council in 1984 and as a coach in the Cahaba Heights Little League Baseball Association for many years. Mr. Wilder was an avid fisherman, fan of the Alabama Crimson Tide and a faithful member of Metropolitan Church of God since its inception in 1981.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 to 2:30 on Monday, February 20, at Ridout's Valley Chapel at 1800 Oxmoor Road in Homewood. A private graveside service will follow at Elmwood Cemetery at 3:00.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Metropolitan Church of God, 2800 Metropolitan Way, Birmingham, AL, 35243 and Jon Potter Ministries, P.O. Box 590092, Homewood, AL, 35259.