HALDER, William F. Sr. (Wild Bill) passed away on Thursday November 20, 2008 after a brief illness. Bill is survived by his brother, J.K. Halder Sr.; three children, Sandy Harris, Rick Halder, Scott Halder; their spouses, five grandchildren, four great- grandchildren, and numerous nephews and nieces. Born on November 13, 1928 to Jake and Willie Halder, Bill lived in Chester, Va. and attended Thomas Dale High School. He served two tours of duty in the United States Navy and retired from DuPont at the age of 55. He was married to Bobbie W. Halder for 45 years. At the age of 63 Bill moved to Boydton, Va. to live by the John H. Kerr Reservoir. There he became active in the local community and served on the Board of Directors for the Boydton Medical Center and was involved in several other civic organizations. Bill had a passion for riding his Harley Davidson and socializing with his many friends. A versatile story teller with a ready smile and quick wit, it can truly be said of "Wild Bill" that he never met a stranger. Every year for the last 17 years, Bill hosted a "pig picking" at his house by the lake and invited 300 of his closest friends and family. Deeply patriotic, following the September 11th attack, Bill authored a poem entitled "My Flag and I" which was read from the floor of the United States Congress by his good friend, Congressman Virgil Goode. It was also published in the magazine Behind Barz. A memorial service is being held at the Boydton Community Center on Saturday, November 29 at 10 a.m., followed by a gathering for friends and family at the Copper Kettle. Those wishing to honor Bill can make a contribution to the Boydton Medical Center, P.O. Box 540, Boydton, Va. 23917.
This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
Why God Made Friends like Bill
God made the world with a heart full of love,
Then He looked down from Heaven above,
And saw that we all need a helping hand,
Someone to share with, who'll understand.
He made special people like Bill to see us through
The glad times and the sad times, too;
A person like Bill on whom we can always depend,
Someone we can call a friend
Patricia Rankin
December 08, 2008 | Grottoes, VA
I'm very sorry for your loss.Bill was a very sweet man.He always looked over me at the lake.I will miss him very much.Y'all are in my thoughts and prayers.
Sara Cheatham
November 30, 2008 | Keysville, VA
Sandy, Rick and Scott
I was sorry to be unable to attend the memorial service for Bill on Saturday. He was always a fun person to be around and I know that his loss will leave a big hole in your lives. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Karen Comer
November 30, 2008 | Richmond, VA
Bill will be truly missed by all who knew him.
Billy Cheatham
November 27, 2008 | Richmond, VA
Sandy, Rick, and Scott
My Prayers are with you and your families at this time. Bill will be missed by many he knew how to live and to enjoy life and the loved ones he held so dear.
Sylvia Gulledge Wray
November 26, 2008 | Richmond, VA
Our deepest sympathy goes out to Bill's family. Boydton and Newman's Subdivision will never be quite the same. His legacy will live on by the memories that we all have of him.
The Austin Family,
Florence, Dianne, Craig, Jane, Greg, Gary and Bev and their children
Dianne Rust
November 26, 2008
Death comes all too suddenly
It treats none of us the same
It may come to you as a thief in the night
It need not know your name
It makes us wish for what might have been
Things we always meant to do
The memories of yesterday
Are all we've left of you.
Scott,
You and all your family are in my prayers.
Danny Poole
November 25, 2008 | Chester, VA
Bill knew how to cook a Boston Butt (though Bap Bap and he are probably even now arguing over who did it better). He could entertain a 1000 people and be relaxed and have fun. When most men his age were working on crossword puzzles - Bill bought a motorcycle riding it all over the state and probably half the country. Many have said he never met a stranger - so true - I remember not long ago a stranger got a flat tire on his cycle here in Boydton and so naturally someone called Wild Bill. ...
David and Christine Thompson
November 25, 2008 | Boydton, VA
Rick Scott and Sandy, So sorry to hear of Bill's passing. I always loved sitting and listening to his tall tales and always remember him and Uncle Brooks chasing the "Wampus Cat" I think your Dad lived life large and for that be thankfull
Randy Gulledge
November 25, 2008 | Colonial Heights, VA
