Billy Ed "Bill" Wilder

Billy Ed Wilder "Bill", 83, of Maumelle, went to be with the Lord on August 18, 2014 at Arkansas Hospice. He was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee on July 19, 1931. As a young man, his love of sports led him to play first base for the Little Rock Dough Boys baseball team. Bill served in the U.S. Marines and the U.S. Air Force. He was a Baptist. In his twenties and thirties he sang solos and was in quartets at Harvey Hicks Memorial Baptist Church. Later, he was in quartets, sang solos and became the music director at Nalls Memorial Baptist Church. Bill made his living as a truck driver for many years. He then became an x-ray technician, working at Ft. Roots and the Arkansas State Health Department, and retired from Conway Children's Colony. For over 50 years, Bill's number one hobby was square dancing. He combined his love of singing with dancing and became a caller. Bill was a popular caller for many square dance clubs in central Arkansas. He was a golfer and avid Razorback fan. His gregarious personality brought him oceans of friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Kathleen Wilder; his first wife, Peggy Jean Wilder; his second wife, Barbara Ann Wilder; his stepson, Jerry Smith; and his brother, Jack Wilder. His is survived by his three daughters, Karen Taylor, Debra Merkel and Pam Wilder; sister, Malinda Guest; five step-children, Tommy, Vickie, Mike, Chris and Joel Smith; nine grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren, and many other loving family members in Chattanooga. Visitation will be Thursday, August 21 from 6-8 p.m. at Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct. (NW corner I-630 and Barrow Rd.). Services will be Friday, August 22 at 1 p.m. at the funeral home, officiated by Dr. Keith Taylor. Interment will follow at Pinecrest Memorial Park in Alexander. Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, (501) 224-2200. Bill's online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.