Thomas Lee Wilder, 65, of Killen, passed away Saturday, September 25, 2010 at ECM Hospital.
The funeral service will be Tuesday at 3:00 p.m. at the CrossPoint Church of Christ with Frank Mills, Ellis Coats and Steve Harrison officiating. Visitation will be Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until service time at the church. Burial will follow in Tri-Cities Memorial Gardens. Elkins Funeral Home is assisting the family.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents Levi and Mayo Wilder and a sister Ellen Maxwell.
He was a construction superintendent for 46 years, an accomplished wood worker, and best known as "The Tire Man" at Sam''s Club in Florence, Alabama for the past 19 years. He adored his wife, two daughters, grandchildren and son in law. He loved gardening, hunting, carpentry and Alabama football. He never tired of hearing about his grandson, Isaiah''s sports triumphs and his granddaughter Christina was always his little helper when he did projects around the house. His greatest joy came from spending time with and taking care of his family.
Tom is survived by his wife of 44 years, Glenda Watson Wilder; daughters Lisa Wilder Etienne-Florence, and Jennifer Lee Carter and husband Jason, Douglasville, Georgia; precious grandchildren Christina Belle Etienne and Isaiah Thomas-Bernard Carter; sisters Elizabeth Frasier and husband Beecher, Sparta, Tennessee, and Martha Smith and husband Morris, Crossville, Tennessee; several nieces and nephews and many, many friends.
Pallbearers will be Steve Harrison, Jeff Smith, Jimmy Clemmons, Herman Watkins, Gerald Briggs, Teddy Shell, Tim Grigsby and Bobby Jones. Elders of Cross Point Church of Christ will serve as honorary pallbearers.
In lieu of flowers, please consider memorials to the Building Fund of CrossPoint Church of Christ or the Killen Volunteer Fire Department.