Willard Benny B. Wild Jr.

Willard “Benny” Wild, Jr., 80, of Eldridge, passed away Thursday, September 15, 2011 at Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House in Bettendorf. Funeral services will be 10:00AM Tuesday (9/20) at the Runge Mortuary. Burial will be in Pine Hill Cemetery Davenport. Visitation is 4-8PM Monday at the mortuary. Memorials may be made to the Clarissa Cook Hospice House. Online condolences may be made at www.rungemortuary.com.

Benny was born on June 25, 1931 in Moline, IL, the son of Willard B. and Marien (Maynard) Wild Sr. He married Ramona A. Johns on May 5, 1981 in Eldridge, IA. Benny was a veteran of the US Navy having served during the Korean War on an ice breaker in Greenland. He had been employed in the transport industry for many years prior to retiring and going to work at Mercy Hospital.

He was a member of United Methodist Church, Eldridge, IA, Milan American Legion Post #569, Post 200, & VFW 1303, Teamsters Local 371, and was very active in the Moonlight chase for the past 28 years. Along with his wife, he loved to winter in Arizona.

Those left to honor his memory are his wife, Ramona; children, Benny (Brenda) Wild, Moline, IL, Joe (Tammi) Wild, Davenport, Gina (John) Wild-Wescott, Denver, CO, Kevin (Diane) Wild, Davenport, Jeffrey Spear, Eldridge, Kaia (Rich) Hudson, Bristow, IA, and Mary (Dave) Smith, Eldridge; 23 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren;1 great great grandchild; Sister in law Annette Wild, Rock Island; and a brother in law Jack Bateman, Rock Island.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Jean Bateman, and two brothers Pat & Maynard Wild.