Albert GreenWilder

'Bert'
GREENSBORO - Albert Green (Bert) Wilder went home to be with the Lord on December 5, 2012. Bert was born on April 14, 1939 in Greensboro, NC. He was the third son of Jack and Frances Wilder, both deceased. As a 1957 graduate of Greensboro Senior High, now known as Grimsley, he was one of the most honored and decorated athletes to ever attend. His senior year, under the legendary coach Bob Jamieson, Bert was First Team All-Conference, All-State, All-Southern and All-American. He played in the Shrine Bowl and was awarded the Lee Kirby trophy. This was the first time a lineman was selected as outstanding player. He was the state heavyweight wrestling champion both his junior and senior year and State Shot Put champion his senior year.
He was courted by most major universities but chose NC State under Coach Earle Edwards where he was named to the All Freshman team. Bert was a member of the Army Reserves and his football career at State was interrupted twice for active duty during the Berlin Crises and the Cuban Crisis. Nevertheless, when he returned to State to finish his career he was selected All -ACC, most valuable player on the State team that tied for the Conference Championship with Carolina his senior year. He was selected in the pro draft by the New York Titans (Jets) and the L A Rams. He chose the Jets and played four years with Joe Namath, retiring in 1968 to go into full time Christian service with Young Life. While ministering to high school students through Young Life, he met his future wife Parks Wilder. They married in 1971.
Bert coached the line for Bob Jamieson for a year then went into the business world joining Burlington Industries for nine years. He joined the Powell-Robertson Nursing Home Group as Administrator when he lived in Rocky Mount. Bert retired in 2005. He is survived by his wife Parks, his daughter Elizabeth of Raleigh, his son Bert Wilder Jr., wife Holly, and two grandsons, Welles and Jack in Charlotte. Also surviving are three brothers, Welles and Dawn Wilder of Christ Church, New Zealand, Frank and Margaret Wilder, and Bill and Judy Wilder, both of Greensboro.
Bert was a strong Christian who put his trust in Jesus Christ and followed Him all his adult life. He had a wonderful sense of humor with a keen wit and a sharp memory. Everyone enjoyed his company. He was, in fact, as they would say in the Old English days a "hail fellow well met." He was a man's man and yet a gentle giant. Bert showed us God's grace both in living and in dying. There is no doubt the Lord said, "Well done, good and faithful servant".
Services will be at Westover Church on Saturday December, 8th at 3pm. There will be a visitation to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Westover Church, 505 Muirs Chapel Road, Greensboro, NC 27410 or Hospice of Greensboro, 2500 Summit Avenue, Greensboro, NC 27405.