Sydney "Dean" Wilder

Sydney Wilder, or Dean to his family and friends, was born on November 8, 1951, in Tahlequah, OK, the son of William Lee and Lizzie Bell (Murphy) Wilder. He was raised in the Tahlequah area with his brothers and sisters, Billy Ray, Robert, Arthur, Donald, and Ronald, Betty “Sue”, Step brother “Happy” and John Hopper and Step sister, Michelle Childs. He attended school at Owens and Masena, growing up in the Tahlequah area. On May 21st, 1970, he married his best friend, Helen Wacoche. They raised a family and shared 52 years of memories, joy and tears. He was an expert in the field of washer and dryer repair, there wasn’t anything he couldn’t fix on them, and was known as the “Washer Man” in Tahlequah. He was always helping people fix them or selling them one they could afford. He went to the area yard sales, looking for hidden treasures, and the best bargains. He could raise the best tomatoes in his garden. There was nothing better than a good football game featuring the OU Sooners or the Dallas Cowboys. In his younger years, he liked to join his friends for a little pool at the pool hall, a good game of dominoes at the tackle shop, or at the casino, always with that signature grin. He would help anyone that asked and never expected anything in return. He had a great sense of humor and loved to tease and joke. Dean was proud of his Cherokee Heritage and always worked at the Cherokee National Holiday serving the dinners. He was never too tired to spend time with his grandkids, and they were always there to spend time at the holidays and the summer cookouts. He kept them in line by griping until they did what they were told. For all he had planned to do, he passed from this life on August 27, 2022 at his home surrounded by the family that loved him. Dean was 70 years old.

He has gone home to join his grandparents, Henry “Cap” and Cherokee (Washington) Murphy, and John and Almeda (Mills) Wilder. He joins his Mother and Father, his two brothers Ronald and Donald Wilder, one great grandson, Chekilli Atchley, and his brother in law, Gary Anderson and sister in law, Linda Darlene Wilder.

Those left to celebrate his life include his loving wife, Helen Wacoche-Wilder of the home in Tahlequah, and his loving children, Donna Wilder of Tahlequah, Deana Anthony and husband Eric of Hulbert, and Jason Wilder and wife Lucy of Tahlequah. He leaves his brothers and sisters, Billy Ray Wilder of Tahlequah, Robert Wilder and wife Heidi of Woodall, Arthur Wilder and wife Beth of Briggs, Betty Sue Anderson of Tahlequah, step-sister, Michelle Childs of Briggs, step-brothers, James “Happy” Hopper of Briggs and John Hopper of Arkansas, sisters-in-law, Pearlene Archer of Tahlequah, Margie Wacoche, Bonnie Faye Twoshields, Lisa Thompson and husband Edwin, Brenda Thompson, and Joni Wacoche, and brothers-in-law, Ben Wacoche and wife Clarissa, Allen Wacoche and Alex “Chuck” Wacoche and wife Juanita, along with a special cousin, Billy Lee Murphy. He lives on and was the best papa to his seven grandchildren, Kaylynn and Tyler Atchley of Tahlequah, Jason Wilder Jr. of Tahlequah, Deona Wilder of Tahlequah, Lizzy Wilder of Tahlequah, Ronnie Wilder of Tahlequah, Kayla Anthony of Tahlequah, Kelsea Anthony of Tahlequah, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends and loved ones too numerous to mention.

A very special thank you to the staff of Hospice of the Cherokee for all the care that Dad received while in their care, it is greatly appreciated.

Thank you to family and friends who have stopped by with food and prayers sent.

Funeral services for Sydney “Dean” Wilder will be held on Thursday, September 1st, 2022 at 10:00 AM at Reed-Culver Chapel with Reverend Jess French officiating. His family will receive visitors on Wednesday, August 31st, 2022 beginning at 1:00 PM until 7:00 PM at Reed-Culver Chapel. He will be laid to rest at Greenleaf Cemetery next to his family.

Online condolences for the family may be left at www.reedculver.com.