William Osborne Wildes Sr.

Mr. William Osborne Wildes, Sr., 97, died Saturday morning (December 2, 2022) at Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah, Georgia.
He was born on February 22, 1925, in Valdosta, Georgia, to the late Charles Alvin Wildes, Sr. and Eva Treadwell Wildes. Mr. Wildes served in the United States Army Air Corp, Strategic Air Force, stationed in Hawaii during World War II. He was the Flight Crew Chief and Navigator for General Edwin Bowman Lyon who was the Commanding General US Army Air Force Middle Pacific.
After the war, Mr. Wildes came back to Valdosta, GA and began a 36-year career with BellSouth Communications. He was transferred to Waycross in 1965 and subsequently served in management positions in Brunswick, Athens, and Atlanta. He retired from BellSouth on December 31, 1983. He was a member of the Waycross Civitan Club, the Pierce County American Legion, and lifetime member of the National Rifle Association.
He joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on May 2, 1948. He had a deep and solemn respect for his Heavenly Father. He was a founding member of the LDS church in Valdosta and served as Branch President for twelve years. He was sustained as Second Counselor in the District Presidency in 1961. He served in several Bishoprics; served as Temple Ordinance Worker in the Atlanta Temple for almost ten years; served, with his late wife Betty, as a missionary in Billings, Montana for a year; and was a Patriarch.
He was preceded in death by his parents; son, William Gregory Wildes; sister, Ouida Wildes Hinson Adams; brothers, Charles Alvin (CA) Wildes, Jr. and Calvin Oscar Wildes; wife, Kathleen White Wildes; wife, Betty Clark Dewberry Wildes; wife, Hazel Cardell Wildes; stepson, James Dewberry; and stepdaughter, Debra Dunihue Stills.
Survivors include his children: Sharon Wildes Musgrove (Donnie) of Lilburn, GA; William O. (Chip) Wildes, Jr. (Louise) of Valdosta, GA; Maxie White Wildes (Dee) of Savannah, GA; Leah Wildes Sistar (the late Dr. Jimmy Sistar) of Savannah, GA; Jared White (JJ) Wildes (Michelle) of Donaldsonville, GA; and stepchildren Wanda Dewberry Bennett of Fernandina Beach, FL; Joseph Glen Dewberry of Fernandina Beach, FL; Myrice Lukas of O'Steen, FL; Gary Stills of Edgewater, FL; Terry Stills of Kissimmee, FL; 17 grandchildren; 37 great grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday (December 7, 2022) in Waycross, GA at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The family will receive friends the hour prior to the service at the church. A graveside dedication service will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday at Sunset Hill Cemetery in Valdosta, GA.
Sympathy may be expressed by posting to his tribute wall at www.musicfuneralhome.com.
Music Funeral Home, Waycross, is in charge of arrangements.