James T. Wilford

James T. “Jim” Wilford, 81, of Greeley, died Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, at CHI Health St. Francis in Grand Island.

Memorial services will be held 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Chalk Hills Community Church in Scotia. Pastor Kevin Hausman will officiate. Military Honors will be conducted by Reuben Beck American Legion Post 150 of Scotia and the Offutt Air Force Base Funeral Honors Team. A private family burial was held at 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19, 2025, at the Greeley Cemetery in Greeley.

Memorials are suggested to the family for later designation.

Peters Funeral Home of St. Paul is assisting the Wilford family.

Jim was born on Sept. 15, 1944, in Greeley, Colorado, the son of Laverna Kirk Wilford. He grew up and received his education in Colorado Schools.

He served in the United States Air Force for 12+ years. He served from July 9, 1966 to Feb. 13, 1975. He attained the rank of T SGT and received a degree in Diesel Mechanics.

He was then married to his first wife, Vaetta. He worked as a trucker and later ran his own auto body shop and later returned to trucking. He married June D. Steensen on Jan 15, 1999. They lived on an acreage southeast of Greeley. He was later employed as a road maintainer for Greeley County.

Jim was a former member of Charles E. Martin American Legion Post 186 of Greeley.

He enjoyed mechanics and working on race cars.

He is survived by his wife, June of Greeley; five daughters, Crystal Wilford of Michigan, Lynette Wilford of Greeley, Michelle and Gary Wendtlandt of Scotia and Teresa and John Klusaw; 12 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren; and a sister, Dianna Owens of Pueblo, CO.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Michael.