Earl H. Wildy - Leachville

Earl H. Wildy, 87, of Leachville, died Friday, April 30, 2004, at his home.

Born at Etowah, he was the son of the late Edward Samuel and Alvina Marie Wildy and was a lifelong resident of Mississippi County. He was a graduate of Keiser High School and the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville where he was a member of Kapa Alpha fraternity, the Arkansas Chapter of Alpa Zeta and a member of Eta Signa fraternity. He served on the Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas form 1957 to 1967. Mr. Wildy had extensive farming interests in Mississippi County and in 1956 was named Master Farm Family of the year and in 1969 named Mississippi County Farm Family of the Year. He served on the board of West Mississippi County Conservation District for 20 years and was chairman of Drainage District 16. He was an elder and last charter member of the First Luthern Church in Blytheville.

He is survived by his wife, June Paul Wildy, of the home; two sons and daughters-in-law, Paul and Rita Wildy of Leachville and David and Patty Wildy of Manila; a daughter and son-in-law, Marie and Dr. Larry Johnson of Jonesboro; a brother, Wilbur Carl Wildy of Osceola; eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Edward Samuel Wildy, Jr., Leroy J. Wildy and Charles Luther Wildy, and a sister, Jo Anne Marie Wildy.

The funeral was held at 3 p.m. Sunday at First Luthern Church in Blytheville with Rev. Terry Coday officiating. Burial was in the Leachville Cemetery under the direction of Howard Funeral Service of Leachville.

Pallbearers were Mr. Wildy's grandsons, Justin Wildy, Marshall Wildy, Tab Wildy, Greg Johnson, Doug Johnson and Nathan Sanders, grandson-in-law.

The family requests that anyone wishing to leave a lasting memorial to consider the First Luthern Church at 6th and Walnut Streets in Blytheville.