November 29th, 1926 – October 11th, 2019
A Life Tribute
Frank Elco Wilder was born on November 29th, 1926 in Memphis, TN to Glenn E. Wilder and Theresa Melgara Wilder, the youngest of 3 siblings. He was predeceased by his parents, his brother, Joseph E. Wilder and sister, Louise ‘Sister’ Shirley and daughter, Mary Patricia Wilder. Frank graduated from Humes High School in Memphis, the Class of 1945, where he was a Football Quarterback and a Golden Gloves Boxer. Frank began working for the Genuine Parts Company (later the NAPA Auto Parts Company) in 1945 and continued there until Retirement in 1990. Frank passed away in Hernando, MS on Friday, October 11th, 2019 surrounded by his wife, Margaret and his loving Family. Frank met Margaret at a New Year’s Eve dance on a blind date that was arranged by his cousin, while she was a Senior at St. Thomas Academy. That was the beginning of a long and loving relationship. Frank was drafted and entered the United States Marine Corp in 1951 and was honorably discharged to Reserve Status in 1953. During part of this time, Frank was stationed in Miami, Florida. He was so smitten with Margaret, that he would drive for 44 hours on a 72- hour pass from Miami to Memphis and back to have just one day to spend with her.
Frank and Margaret were married on October 24th, 1953 at St. Thomas Catholic Church. In 1956, they built their first house and moved to Whitehaven, where they would live for the next 40 years raising their four children, Steve, Donna, Diane and Mary Ann. Frank was a parishioner of St. Paul’s Catholic Church for those years where he served as an Usher and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. Frank was the hardest-working and most honest man that anyone had ever known. He was a loving, caring and patient Father, Grandfather and Great Grandfather. For most of those years, Frank would often work two or three part-time jobs at one time to provide for his Family, while being the Branch Manager of several NAPA Auto Parts store locations in the Memphis area.
The Wilder Children had everything we needed and most of the things we wanted growing up, because Dad had such a strong work-ethic and sense of pride. He was always willing to help those that were less fortunate than we were. Many times, his NAPA customers could not afford to pay for their car parts. This was during a time, when the USDA would give away free blocks of cheese. Dad would accept this cheese as ‘payment’ for their parts, while he quietly, helped to pay off their bills, even though we didn’t have a lot to spare either. So, it is understandable to know that the Wilder Kids grew up having ‘Cheese Toast’ for many breakfasts.
When Frank and Margaret retired in 1996, they built their second home in Hernando, MS. They joined Holy Spirit Catholic Church, where they were members for over twenty years. Frank always loved having land around him, and this ‘retirement’ home had a beautiful yard, hill and pond. Papaw, as he is known, by his Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren, loved spending his days working in the yard, growing vegetables in the garden, and feeding his catfish up at the pond on the ‘Hill’. In his 70’s, Frank even went back to work part-time at the NAPA Store in Hernando. He truly loved being outdoors and to be busy and his greatest joy was when all the Family gathered for Holidays and Summers to visit. He could be found sitting on his back porch watching the Sunrise in the morning coming up thru the trees and over the hill and pond. You could also see him sitting in the evening with a beer in one hand, proudly admiring all the hard yardwork he had done.
Frank passed away gently in his sleep, at age 92, surrounded by his loving and grateful Family, for the most honorable man that he was. He is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Margaret Cavallo Wilder and their four Children, Stephen M. Wilder of Chamblee, GA, Donna (Michael) M. Medeiros of Katy, TX, Diane (Gary) E. Cannon of Hernando, MS and Mary Ann (Thomas) Caldwell of Olive Branch, MS. He is also survived by his eight Grandchildren, Granddaughters Melissa (B.J.) Smith and Janna N. Caldwell and six Grandsons Bradley (Ali) Cannon, Christopher (Stephanie) Medeiros, Walker Caldwell, Carter Caldwell, Ryan Medeiros and John Medeiros and four Great-Grandchildren Caitlyn Smith, Alayna Smith, Paxton Cannon and Presley Cannon. As the last Uncle of his Generation, Frank also leaves behind many beloved nieces and nephews. All are left to cherish the memory of such a wonderful man, friend to all, and the best Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great Grandfather, Brother-in-Law and Uncle that we were all blessed to have in our lives.
The Family also wishes to acknowledge and thank the wonderful Caregivers for Frank. He was treated with loving care, dignity and respect by Debbie Archer, Tanya Baker, Linda Long and Connie Donaldson. We are eternally grateful for all of their hard work and dedication to our loved one.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30 am, Wednesday October 16th, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Hernando, MS. Preceding mass will be a Visitation starting at 10:00 A.M., and a Bereavement luncheon following the Mass. Graveside Service will be at Calvary Cemetery,1663 Elvis Presley Blvd, Memphis, TN 38106. Family and Friends are welcome to gather at Frank’s home after the burial.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.FamilyFuneralMemphis.com for the Wilder family.
