Tilden Oney Bridges

Tilden Oney Bridges, 303 Cooper Street, White Hall, Ark. died at Jefferson Regional Medical Center (JRMC) in Pine Bluff, Ark. on May 6, 2013. He was born on September 9, 1922 in Pine Bluff, Ark. and spent the majority of his life in White Hall. Parents were Bennie Richard Oney Bridges and Hattie Lee Honey Bridges. He was married to Minnie Ola Wolf Bridges on April 4, 1945 and celebrated 68 years together this past April. Tilden graduated from White Hall High School in 1941 and immediately began his long career with Arkansas Power and Light Company. In November of 1942, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and in January of 1946, he went back to work for AP&L (now known as Entergy) until his retirement in March of 1985. He was a Senior Cable Splicer and as such played a major role in the installation and maintenance of the underground cable operation in Little Rock, Pine Bluff and towns south of Pine Bluff. Tilden and Minnie have been active members of Central Baptist Church on Dollarway Road since 1957. Before and after retirement, they traveled, pulling an Airstream travel trailer for 36 years. Dad served as President of the Arkansas Razorback Airstream Travel Club at one time, and was always an active member for the Club attending many International and Regional Rallies. He was also a member of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) for 60 years. Tilden was President of Pine Bluff's Entergy Retirees' Club as well as being chosen to represent the group on the Steering Committee for Retirees of Entergy at a state level. He was also an active member in his church's senior citizen's group (SAM's Club). Tilden's 90th birthday last September was celebrated with a proclamation from the Mayor of White Hall, proclaiming it Tilden Oney Bridges Day in White Hall. Mayor Foster presented him with the award at a party held in City Hall. In addition to his wife, he is survived by one daughter, Linda Gayle Brown and friend Leigh Cole of Roland, Ark.; one grandson, Kuhl Brown, III and Amy Boom of Denver, Colo. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews. Tilden was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Francis McWilliams; four brothers, Harris (Bud) Bridges, Coy Bridges, Roy Bridges, and Joe Bridges. Visitation with the family will be Thursday, May 9, at Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Home, Cherry St. at 8th Avenue in Pine Bluff, Ark. from 6-8 p.m. Funeral Services will be held at Central Baptist Church, 6107 Dollarway Road, White Hall, at 10 a.m. on Friday, May10. Burial will be at White Hall Methodist Church Cemetery in White Hall, Ark. Online Register:www.ralphrobinsonandson.com.