Claude Gerald "Jerry" Wilder

Claude Gerald “Jerry” Wilder, age 77, died Tuesday, January 21, 2014 at home surrounded by his family. A son of the late Lewis Wilburn Wilder and Shirley Westmoreland Wilder, he was born on August 20, 1936 in Woodruff, SC. Mr. Wilder was a U.S. Navy veteran. Mr. Wilder was a paint contractor, car dealer, race car driver and bait & tackle shop owner. He was a member of the Shrine Excelsior Lodge No.2261.

A funeral service to celebrate his life will be held at 2:00PM, Friday, January 24th at McEwen Funeral Service at Sharon Memorial Park with Rev. Dan King officiating. Burial with military honors will follow in Sharon Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 7:00PM to 9:00PM tonight at the funeral home.

Mr. Wilder is survived by five daughters, Catherine Robinson and husband Paul, of York, SC, Colleen Haney, of Clover, SC, Donna Hanks and husband Rob, of Gypsum, CO, Monnie Blackman and husband Bobby, of Stanley, Claudia Ridenhour and husband Robert, of Charlotte;

four sons, Samuel Wilder and wifeTerry, of Charlotte, Lonnie Wilder, of Charlotte, Van Wilder, of Clover, SC, Ray Wilder and wife Donna, of Clover, SC; seventeen grandchildren, twelve great-children and a sister, Georgia McAbee and husband Malcolm, of Inman, SC.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Wilder was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Blanks Wilder and his ex-wife and mother of his nine children, Louise Lord Wilder Himler.

The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the staff of Gaston Hospice for their love and care which was shown to our father and grandfather.

Memorials may be made to Gaston Hospice, PO Box 3984, Gastonia, NC 28054 or Shriners Hospital for Children, 950 West Faris Road, Greenville, SC 29605.