Hi.  I am sorry for your loss.  I worked on the senior management staff at Washington National for many years, and then left to open a new General Aviation airport in central Maryland.  During my tenure with MWAA I had numerous interactions with Jim.  The Jim I knew had the vision to help create a new organization to better serve the people of the DMV.  He had the strength and knowledge and wisdom to lead us through the unknown.  And what I remember most about him was his caring.  The Jim I knew cared about, and I think probably knew by name, each person in the organization.  I remember once following an event at his office, it was just Jim and I sitting, sipping coffee, and talking.  At one point he asked me how Dennis, my brother-in-law was doing.  Several years earlier, you all had owned a boat that was at a marina on the South River near Annapolis. Dennis had worked on your boat. That Jim remembered we had talked about that, and that he remembered Dennis' name, struck a deep chord in me and deeply reinforced what I already knew, Jim cared about the people, his people.

I was so sorry to hear about Jim's passing.  He has left a lasting impression on me and I am honored and humbled to have known him.  The world is a little diminished without him.  I am sorry I could not come to honor and celebrate his life with you.  I wish you abundant strength and kindness and love as you move forward from this point.

Michael Wassel  

My sincere sympathy to your family. I worked for and with Bill at USI. All of the wonderful things said about Mr. Wilding are also true of Bill. He must have been an amazing human being! 

Jim was a true pioneer, leader, mentor and a gentleman. He was generous with his time to help others in the industry improve their performance and made a great contribution to the progress of the airport industry. I well recall the major capital program at National Airport in the 90's. I happened to be making many trips to DC during this time and I was very impressed by the attention paid to passenger information, alerting travelers know when things had changed and informing them of how to navigate to their destination. Other airport managers, including myself, instituted Jim's technique when undergoing capital projects. The generations of airport leaders owe a debt to Jim Wilding.

My  deepest sympathies on your loss; he is our loss as well.

I first met Jim in the late 1970s when I did my first consulting project at Dulles.  I had the pleasure of working for Jim as my client on many projects until he retired from MWAA.  I never had a better client.  Jim was thoughtful, wise, a good listener, a decision maker, and one who wanted to learn the facts from our work rather than telling us what the answer should be.  He attracted a great staff, which made serving them all the more enjoyable.  I learned much from him, both about airports and airport management, and about how to conduct oneself professionally, even where there  were differences of opinions on the table.  When you joined him in his office or in a meeting, he made you feel welcome and valued as an adviser.  Jim was a true friend, and he shall be missed.

February 2016 at the dedication of the James A. Wilding International Arrivals Hall.
Terri Hall, Jim, Susan Davis

May 2014
Susan Davis, Peggy Dyer, Carol Welti, Terri Hall, Katie Periera

February 2016 at the dedication of the James A. Wilding International Arrivals Hall.
Jim, Carol Welti, Bob Calhoun

June 2000 at a dinner honoring MWAA.
Anita Kayser, Terri Hall, Jim, Peggy Dyer, Carol Welti

I never had the pleasure to meet Jim but I work with Matt and he always speaks highly of his dad. I travel through Dulles and Reagan National regularly and am always impressed with my experience. Sharing the photos and memories painted a great image of Jim's life and impact over the years. He leaves behind a legacy and we all have large shoes to fill. Please accept my regards and condolences during this difficult time.

Event was when the Paralyzed Veterans of America recognized that the new DCA was a Barrier-Free Building.   

Thank you Jim for your friendship, guidance and contributions to our industry.

Kent G George
117 Arnau Ct.
Saint Augustine, FL  
32095

Hello, my mother Leslie Berkowitz worked for Jim and was always so fond of him. She passed away last year or she would be writing this herself. I hope you find peace and comfort at what I know is a difficult time. 
Best,
Lara Berkowitz

He was a true friend to the airports, this photo is from his retirement celebration at IAD.

When Mr. Wilding was retiring I reached out to Catholic University and they were able to provide a few pics from his time there.    

Mr. Wilding was good man and a great leader- he was truly a person you wanted to be like.    This photo is from the early days at DCA.   

Bill   - I am so sorry to hear about your father’s death.  I know from experience how hard it is to lose a parent. My thoughts and prayers will be with you in the coming days..

Fondly,
Marjorie  Labhart


My heartfelt condolences to Mr. Wilding’s family. I was his secretary at Hangar 9 in the 1980’s. He was the most honorable man I ever met. He was so well respected. I remember his retirement party. Over 900 people attended including many dignitaries. What a legacy! I will always treasure that he came to West Virginia to attend my retirement luncheon! May God bless his family & give them peace.

Although he was “the boss” Jim Wilding took the time to know each member of the team and made sure we all thought of our families and loved ones first. He was a great and inspiring leader who earned the respect of everyone with whom he interacted. Thank you for being a part of my life.

James Wilson

20 years after Jim retired, his staff looked forward to our "regularish" zoom staff meetings.   

Jim's passing is a huge loss for all of us.  Jim's touched so many of us in so many ways.  He was a boss that we all respected but beyond that he was a friend, mentor, a teacher and someone who was so humble.  It was never about him, it was all about the success of the airports and developing the people who worked for him.  In my many years at the airport, the Air Force and in the consulting world I never met, worked with or for anyone who was a better leader had more of an ethical compass of as good a man as Jim Wilding.  We never would have seen the airports transfer, the new terminal at National, National reopen after 9/11, the Hazy Center open, Dulles expand if it were not for Jim.  I am so privileged to have had Jim Wilding in my and my families life.  May his memory be eternal.  
Keith Meurlin

This letter from Mr. Wilding is shared to show how he made his employees all feel like a family.  He was a gentleman who conducted business with professionalism, integrity, honesty and truly valued both the business relationships and those  with his employees.  No task was too small to be recognized.  Sincere condolences to his family and friends. 

Dear Bill & family, I know I can’t make your pain go away, but I want you to know I’m here for you with a shoulder to cry on or an ear to listen with, or anything else you may need.  Your family was always so welcome to our motley crew. I can distinctly remember your dad always welcoming me and the guys to your family Friday pizza night. 

Prayers from all the Burnett family in Georgia.. Much love, Peggy

Almost impossible to put into words the sadness and sense of loss at the passing of Mr. Wilding.   A great leader, wonderful boss, and a cherished friend to us all.

I will treasure my time with him for the rest of my life.

To Marcella and all the Wildings – God Bless you in this time of sadness and grief.

Jonathan Gaffney and Tracy Malone


OBITUARIO

James A. Wilding

22 diciembre, 1937 – 24 febrero, 2023

Brown-Wynne Funeral Home

Muestre su apoyo

Comparta Un Recuerdo

Comparta
Un Obituario

Obtenga actualizaciones

Servicios