Douglas Neill Wilder

Mr. Douglas Neill Wilder, 84, of Dalton passed away on Tuesday, March 27, 2018 at his residence in Brunswick, Ga.

He was the son of the late Erret and Thelma Hunt Wilder and was preceded in death by his loving wife of 50 years, Shirley Stagg Wilder; brothers, Ray, E.B. and James Wilder; sister, Carolyn Wilder Gaither.

Douglas was a member of the United States Navy where he served during the Korean War on the USS Iowa Battleship, the first of the largest, most powerful battleship class ever in the US Navy, equipped with nine 16-inch (406mm) guns that could fire nuclear shells (the only American ship in history with this capability). Upon his return, he married Shirley Jean Stagg and began raising a family. They moved to Dalton, GA in the early 1970’s and he spent most of his adult life there until moving to Brunswick, GA in 2014. He was a lifelong member of the First Assembly of God.

Douglas is survived by his children, Bryan (Marie) Wilder of Dalton, Gayla (Jeff) Kinsey of Brunswick and Carla Wilder Cate of St. Simons Island; sister, Ann Wilder Hawkins of Goodwater, AL; brother, Don (Sandra) Wilder of Auburn, AL; grandchildren, Rebekah (Brandon) Rogers, Jennifer (Matthew) Wilder, Abby Stinson, Ashley Brindle, Jason (Melanie) Lackey, Jacob Lackey, Vassa Cate IV, Wilder Cate and Granger Cate; great grandchildren, Will, Natalie, Keeli, Ashton, Noah, and Patrick; brothers in law and sisters in law, Bobby (Kim) Stagg of N. Charleston, SC and Fred (Peggy) Stagg of LaGrange; nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 11 AM on Saturday in the chapel of Love Funeral Home in Dalton with Rev. Ted Miller officiating. Burial will be in West Hill Cemetery.

The family will receive friends prior to the service on Saturday from 9 until 11 AM.