The South Carolina Aviation
Hall of Fame
Preserving History Honoring the Past
Joseph B. Wilder
1994
Joseph Wilder graduated from the University of Georgia in 1947. He served in the South Carolina House of Representatives from 1987 to present, where he is chairman of several committees.
Wilder was a member of the South Carolina Aeronautics Commission from 1956-1986, serving as chairman from 1978-1984. He was selected chairman emeritus in 1993. Wilder was names Legislator of the Year in 1993, Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year in 1987 and the recipient of the National Peabody Award for community service in 1954.
He was graduated from Army flight school in class of 44 and served in the 10th and 14th Air Force. He has owned several radio stations and was named to the Broadcasters Hall of Fame.
TO RECOGNIZE REPRESENTATIVE JOSEPH B. WILDER FOR HIS SERVICE IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES REPRESENTING DISTRICT 91 WITH INTEGRITY, HONOR, AND DISTINCTION, TO EXPRESS THE APPRECIATION OF THE MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR REPRESENTATIVE WILDER'S LEADERSHIP AND ESPECIALLY FOR CHAMPIONING THE RIGHTS OF SOUTH CAROLINA'S DISABLED CITIZENS, AND TO WISH HIM ALL THE BEST AS HE BRINGS HIS SERVICE IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TO A CLOSE. Whereas, Representative Joseph B. Wilder has represented Barnwell and Allendale Counties in District 91 since 1987, when he succeeded the late Speaker Sol Blatt, Sr.; and Whereas, Representative Wilder began his career in 1956 when he was appointed to the Aeronautics Commission, serving thirty years, six of them as chairman; and Whereas, he has also served as Vice Chairman of the Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations for eight years; and Whereas, Representative Wilder owned and operated Radio WBAW, Inc. from 1953 to 1993, receiving many awards for community service; and Whereas, he served as President of the State Broadcasters Association and also was elected to their Hall of Fame; and Whereas, he was a founder of the Lower Savannah Council of Governments and has represented Barnwell County on its Board of Directors since 1968, serving a term as president of the state association; and Whereas, in the South Carolina General Assembly, Representative Wilder has served on the Judiciary Committee, chairing the Subcommittee on Election Laws and served as a member of the House Operations and Management Committee; and Whereas, Representative Wilder is known across the State as an outspoken advocate for people with disabilities seeking to bring awareness and sensitivity to the needs of persons with disabilities; and Whereas, during his outstanding leadership as Chairman of the Joint Legislative Committee for People with Disabilities, he established a Head Spinal Cord Injury Task Force which resulted in legislation developing a Registry, and services for persons with head and spinal cord injuries; and Whereas he was instrumental in leading his committee in passage of the Early Intervention Bill for Preschool Children, the Braille Bill, and in 1992 updated the state's handicapped parking laws; and Whereas, he served as the state's representative on the National Council of State Legislators' Development Disabilities Council; and Whereas, in 1993, he received Legislator of the Year awards from the State Federation of the Blind, and the Self-Help for Hard of Hearing, and House of Representatives Legislator of the Year from the American Legion and from the State Association of Regional Council of Government; and Whereas, Representative Wilder has been described by his colleagues as a "man who is kind-hearted and a person of integrity" and has served in the General Assembly with honor and distinction; and Whereas, as Representative Wilder brings his legislative career to a close upon the completion of his fourth term in the House of Representatives, he will be deeply missed by his colleagues, constituents, and the thousands of disabled citizens whose lives he has enriched and improved. Now, therefore, Be it resolved by the House of Representatives: That the members of the House of Representatives, by this resolution, hereby recognize Representative Joseph B. Wilder for his service in the House of Representatives representing District 91 with integrity, honor, and distinction, to express the appreciation of the members of the House of Representatives for Representative Wilder's leadership and especially for championing the rights of South Carolina's disabled citizens, and to wish him all the best as he brings his service in the House of Representatives to a close. Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Representative Joseph B. Wilder.
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Mr. Joe B.
Wilder (BARNWELL, S.C.)
BARNWELL, S.C. - Joe B. Wilder, 81, died Wednesday, at his home in Barnwell. He was born in Royston, Ga. on December 25, 1923, a son of the late Garnett and Ruth Wilder. A graduate of the University of Georgia, his journalism career began with several Georgia newspapers. His broadcasting career began at WKLY in Hartwell, Ga. where he was program director and sales manager. In 1953, he 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 S.C. Broadcasters Association in 1965, and in 1995 was inducted in the S.C. Broadcasters Hall of Fame. A World War II Veteran, he 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 and was named Chairman-Emeritus and was also named to the S.C. Aeronautical Hall of Fame. Joe 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 four terms. During his tenure as District 91 Representative, he 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. For his exemplary work on behalf of the disabled, he was awarded the state's highest civilian honor, The Order of the Palmetto. Mr. Wilder helped establish a Community Relations Committee which helped oversee a smooth transition for school integration in the 1960's. 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. Mr. 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 will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Barnwell United Methodist Church with the Rev. David Turner and Rev. Titus Parrott officiating. Burial will follow in the Barnwell County Memory Gardens. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Friday evening at Mole Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the Barnwell United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 126, Barnwell, SC 29812 or to a charity of one's choice. Survivors include his wife, Margaret Sholar Wilder of Barnwell, son, Drew (Vicki) Wilder of Spartanburg; daughter, Diane (John) Smith of Greenville; stepsons, Kenneth Sholar, Robert Sholar and Elvin Sholar of Virginia Beach Va.; stepdaughters, Linda Cushman of Princeton Junction, N.J., Sherry Sholar of Virginia Beach, Va.; sister, Sara Ruth Eubanks of Marietta Ga.; 11 grandchildren, Chris Wilder of Hickory, N.C., John Wilder of Greer, Page Smith and Todd Smith of Greenville, Brandon Sholar, Shawn Sholar, Brian Sholar, Shannon Sholar, of Virginia Beach, Va., Adam Cushman, Carith C ushman and Meredith Cushman of Princeton Junction, N.J.; one great- granddaughter, Georgia Kate Wilder of Hickory N.C. He was predeceased by his first wife, Gwuen Page Wilder, and two brothers, Bruce and Garnett Wilder. Mole Funeral Home, (803) 259-3166. Sign the guestbook at AugustaChronicle.com The Augusta Chronicle May 20, 2005 --From the Friday, May 20, 2005 printed edition of the Augusta Chronicle |
