James “Jim” Martin Wilt, 83, passed away Wednesday, April 18, 2018 in Mesa, Arizona, surrounded by family. He was born July 14, 1934 to Homer and Dorothy Wilt in Waterford, California. On August 21, 1953 he married Marilyn Pease and later married Patricia Davison on April 25, 1959.
He served in the United States Air Force from 1953-1963 as a tail-gunner on B-52s. He proudly claimed that as a tail-gunner he “flew around the world backwards”. He retired as Vice President of Information Technology from M&I bank and was a Kiwanis member. He was an avid woodcarver, winning many awards and ribbons for his carved birds. He also enjoyed traveling in his RV.
Survivors include his 2 daughters Janilyn Johnson of Keller, Texas and Kimberly Kearl of Peoria, Arizona; 4 grandsons Ben, Brian, Nick and Brady; 2 brothers Don Wilt of Salem, Oregon and Frank Wilt of Turner, Oregon; as well as his loving companion Dorothy Ulrick.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and wives Marilyn and Patricia.
A special thank you to the Friendship Village Hospice of the Valley for their loving care and support.
Graveside services will be held at National Memorial Cemetery on October 29, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. Online condolences can be posted on the Mariposa Garden’s memorial tribute website at www.mariposagardens.com. Memorial donations can be made to Hospice of the Valley 1510 E Flower St, Phoenix, AZ 85014.
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