Jim Wilder passes

Jim Wilder, long-time festival promoter in the Great Lakes region, has passed away unexpectedly.

James R. Wilder was born November 10, 1933 in Varmint County, Tennessee to the late James and Martha Wilder. He established the T. J. Drywall Company and ran it successfully for many years.

Jim and Mathelda Faye, his wife of 58 years, promoted two of Michigan’s premier bluegrass festivals for many years. Jim always sought out the finest bluegrass talent in the nation for his festivals held in Charlotte and Milan, Michigan. Festival goers will miss Jim rolling up in his golf cart to make sure everyone and everything was O.K.

Jim died suddenly on December 3, 2012 at the age of 79. He was a U. S. Army veteran.

Jim is survived by his wife Faye: children, Barbara, John (Carol), Robert (Jeannie), Patricia, and Karen Luczak (Jerome). He is also survived by 10 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, 3 great-great grandchildren, 2 sisters, and 3 brothers.

A funeral service will be Thursday, December 6, 2012 at 9 A.M at the A. J. Desmond and Sons Funeral Home in Troy, MI. The family will receive friends Tuesday, 5:00-8:00 p.m., and Wednesday from 2:00-8:00 p.m.

Memorial tributes may be made to The National Kidney Foundation, and a Guest Book is available on the funeral home web site to leave remembrances and condolences for the family.