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Legislator, longtime broadcaster dies at 81

BARNWELL — Colleagues and friends are remembering former state representative Joe B. Wilder, 81, who died Wednesday at his home in Barnwell.

Wilder's long career in public service began as a Hartwell, Ga., town councilman. In 1986, he succeeded Solomon Blatt Sr. in the S.C. House of Representatives, where he served for four terms. During his tenure as District 91 representative, Wilder was named Legislator of the Year by the S.C. American Legion, the State Association of Regional Councils and the Association of the Deaf and Blind.

Born in Royston, Ga., a son of the late Garnett and Ruth Wilder, he was a graduate of the University of Georgia. His journalism career began with several Georgia newspapers, and he began a career in broadcasting at WKLY in Hartwell, Ga., where he was program director and sales manager.

In 1953, Wilder opened WBAW radio station in Barnwell. Later he owned WBHC in Hampton and WAKS in Fuquay-Varina, N.C. He served as president of the SC Broadcasters Association in 1965 and in 1995 was inducted into the S.C. Broadcasters Hall of Fame.

H. Flowe Trexler, a member and past chairman of the Barnwell County Council, said he and Wilder were "very close friends and next-door neighbors."

"We were in the Lions Club together for 38 years, and Joe headed an organization called the Senior Council made up of senior citizens to help government," Trexler said. "Joe was very active in the Agricultural Heritage Center at the Clemson Edisto Research Center. Joe was a great neighbor, a good citizen and a good parent. We are going to miss him very much."

Former Denmark mayor Pete Brooker also has good memories of Wilder.

"Joe was a good friend who tried to help everyone that he knew," Brooker said. "Joe called on me a lot and always had a lot of helpful information. Even after he retired, he continued to come by and visit us and had a good word for everybody, and he appreciated everyone in Denmark."

A World War II veteran, Wilder flew numerous missions in the Far East Theater. His love for flying led him to a 30-year stint on the S.C. Aeronautics Commission. He was named chairman emeritus of the Commission and was also named to the S.C. Aeronautical Hall of Fame.

For his exemplary work on behalf of the disabled, Wilder was awarded the state's highest civilian honor, The Order of the Palmetto.

Wilder helped establish a Community Relations Committee which helped oversee a smooth transition for school integration in the 1960s. He was a charter member of the six-county Lower Savannah Council of Governments, where he served as chairman for several years.

He was a 50-year member of the Barnwell Lions Club and a two-time recipient of the "Lion of the Year" award.

Wilder was involved in many other local and regional civic organizations. He served in many leadership positions within the Barnwell United Methodist Church and taught the Men's Bible class for 25 years.

Funeral services for Wilder will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Barnwell United Methodist Church with the Rev. David Turner and the Rev. Titus Parrott officiating. Burial will follow at the Barnwell County Memory Gardens. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Friday at Mole Funeral Home.

Wilder is survived by his wife, Margaret Sholar Wilder of Barnwell; a son, Drew Wilder of Spartanburg; a daughter, Diane Smith of Greenville; stepsons, Kenneth Sholar, Robert Sholar and Elvin Sholar of Virginia Beach, Va.; stepdaughters, Linda Cushman of Princeton Junction, NJ. and Sherry Sholar of Virginia Beach Va.; a sister, Sara Ruth Eubanks of Marietta, Ga.; 11 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Memorials may be made to the Barnwell United Methodist Church, PO Box 126, Barnwell, SC, 29812 or to a charity of one's choice.