Charles Herbert Wilder

Mr. Charles Herbert Wilder

The Woodlands - Services for Mr. Wilder will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, November 8, 2019, Calvary Baptist Church, Alexandria, La, with Dr. B. David Brooks officiating. Visitation will be held at the church from 1:00 p.m. until the time of service. Burial with Military Honors will follow the service, in Greenwood Memorial Park, Pineville, under the direction of Hixson Brothers Alexandria.

Charles Herbert Wilder, 81, went to be with his Lord and Savior on November 3rd, in The Woodlands, Texas, with his family at his side.

Mr. Wilder is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Mary Cecile Laird Wilder, and his two daughters Natalie Wilder Ford (John Duncan Ford III) of The Woodlands, Texas and Catherine Lauren Wilder Poor (Kyle William Poor) of Orlando, Florida; five grandchildren: John Duncan Ford IV (Leah DePrang Ford), Mary Lauren Ford Briggs (Jeffrey Preston Briggs), Sarah Catherine Ford, Lauren Cecile Bentley LeGros (Matthew Benjamin LeGros), and Andrea Elise Bentley; three great-grandsons: John Duncan Ford V ("Cinco"), Davis Charles Briggs, and James Laird Briggs; and his sister Kathleen Wilder.

He was preceded in death by his parents H.L. Wilder and Marie Buckner Wilder; his wife's parents Mr. and Mrs. Martin Luther Laird, Jr.; his sisters Betty Mathews, Evelyn Wilder, and Jackie Cohenour; and his brother H.L. Wilder, Jr.

Charles (C.H.) Wilder was born on January 8th, 1938, in Alexandria, Louisiana where he resided until his move to The Woodlands in 2018.

C.H. recently reminisced about the special relationship he had with his grandmother, Elizabeth Sophronia Hamilton Wilder. He spoke of driving his father's 1947 Chevy truck to her house (at the age of 14) to help her with planting a garden, raking sycamore and pecan leaves, painting the house, and mowing the lawn. From an early point in his life, she nurtured his faith in God by reading her Bible to him. He recently recalled her passing in 1952 as one of the saddest times of his life.

Prior to his graduation from Bolton High School in 1955, some of his favorite activities included driving down Bolton Avenue in the "shake, rattle, and roll" manner of the times and participating in practical jokes. He met "the love of my life", Mary Cecile Laird, while at Bolton. C.H. has been blessed to have several enduring friendships from his days at Bolton. C.H. married Mary Cecile Laird Wilder on January 28, 1957.

Their early years of marriage were spent with him serving in the U.S. Navy.They first resided in Norfolk, Virginia followed by Key West, Florida, until they moved back home to Alexandria.

After leaving the Navy and joining the U.S Navy Reserve, C.H. completed Louisiana College, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science in Economics in 1961. His years of active duty were followed by 28 years in the U.S. Navy Reserve, retiring with the rank of CWO4. C.H. started in retail by working for Red River Candy Company, followed by a brief stint with Firestone. His successful career in retail management ended with his retirement from Sears in 1986, where he displayed a special gift for encouraging and working with people.

Calvary Baptist Church was a foundational part of C.H.'s life. During his years of active membership, he served as Chairman of the Deacons, Sunday School Director, Training Union sponsor, and a member of the choir. He enjoyed serving on the Building Committee, which raised funds for Calvary's current location. In addition to his commitment to his church, C.H. served his community as a member of the Lions Club, and was active in Boy Scouts as a child.

Spending time with his family was C.H.'s greatest joy. His daughters remember that he was a "hands on" dad, making a conscious decision not to become involved in activities that took him away from family time. Two weeks of every summer were reserved for family vacation, often to Colorado. His love of being on the water translated to purchasing a ski boat so he could enjoy time with family and friends. More recently, sharing a meal, playing games, or just watching TV together were some of his favorite family activities, especially when his great grandsons were present. C.H. often expressed how proud he was of his daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Duncan Ford, Jeff Briggs, Matt LeGros, Al Mathews, Mike Wilder, Jack Buckner, Bruce Underwood, and Ben Russo. Honorary pallbearers will be Knight Doggett, John Texada, and Ray Williams.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association, 4501 Jackson Street, Suite C, Alexandria, LA, 71303.

To extend online condolences to the Wilder family, please visit us at www.hixsonbrothers.com.