Betty Rhea Wilder ~ Obituary

Former Henry Countian Betty Rhea Wilder, 84, of Fort Myers, Fla., died there on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2014.

The body was cremated. Fort Myers Mortuary Services was in charge. A memorial service for the family is planned later in Henry County. Born Nov. 12, 1929, in Henry County, she was the daughter of the late William Gardner “W. G.” and Marian Green Rhea.

Wilder graduated from Grove High School at age 16. She earned a bachelor’s degree in economics, statistics, English and math from Vanderbilt University and a master’s degree in human services from Murray State University.

A family member said she gained a pilot’s license at age 17. She was appointed judge in city police court, was part owner of a frame shop, assisted in transitioning the Murray State University Federal Credit Union from infancy to maturity and counseled the rehabilitation of problem drug and alcohol abusers. She raised two sons and counted that her most rewarding experience.

She leaves two sons: Bill (Debbie) Wilder and Bob Wilder, both of Fort Myers; and two brothers: Gardner (Joan) Rhea of Newland, N.C., and Jim Rhea of Boston.

Memorials may be made to the V Foundation for Cancer Research at jimmyv.org or by calling 800-454-6698.

The following added to the above Post-Intelligencer obituary:
Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Dr. William Gardner And Marian Green Rhea. She will be greatly missed by her sons, Bill (Debbie) Wilder and Bob Wilder, all of Fort Myers and her brothers, Dr. Gardner (Joan) Rhea of Newland, North Carolina and Dr. Jim Rhea of Boston, Mass.

Reprinted from THE PARIS POST-INTELLIGENCER
Paris, Tennessee
February 14, 2014 Edition ~ Used by Permission