Photo by: Mercer University
Mercer Hall of Fame Member Bobby Wilder Passes Away
3/20/2019 2:45:00 PM | Athletics Department
Wilder was Mercer’s men’s basketball head coach from 1957-70
DUBLIN, Ga. – Dr. Robert E. "Bobby" Wilder, head men's basketball coach at Mercer University from 1957-70, died on Sunday, March 17, 2019 at the age of 87.
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Wilder led the Bears to 147 wins during his tenure as the men's basketball head coach, ranking him third on the program's all-time wins list. A member of Mercer University's class of 1952, Wilder played basketball for the Bears from 1950-52. He is a member of the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame and Mercer Athletics Hall of Fame (1974).
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"Coach Wilder was a legend and well-respected instructor at Mercer," said Director of Athletics Jim Cole. "As a student at Mercer, I fondly remember the classes that I took from him. He always had a kind word and a gentle way of getting his point across to me. He will be missed by everyone in the Mercer Family."
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Wilder served in the United States Army and was a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church. He later received his doctorate from Peabody College, now Vanderbilt University. He taught full-time at Mercer and additionally wrote Grid Iron Glory Days, a history of Mercer University's football program from 1892-1942.
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Survivors include his wife of 31 years, Ella Ruth "Ellie" Wilder; children, Robert Wilder of Gainesville, Florida, David Wilder of Tampa, Florida; stepchildren, Katharine Sims of Niceville, Florida, Susan Sims of Portland, Oregon, and Harry E. Sims Jr. of Hattiesburg, Mississippi; and a nephew, James E. Graham of St. Simons Island. He is preceded in death by his parents, David and Blanche Wilder and a sister, Nita Beatty.
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Wilder's family will receive friends in the Parrish Hall of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 305 Central Avenue in Fort Valley, beginning at 1 p.m. Thursday, March 21. A memorial service will follow at 2 p.m. in the church sanctuary.
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Follow the Bears
For complete coverage of Mercer Athletics, please follow the Bears on social media at @MercerBears (Twitter) visit the official home of Mercer Athletics at www.MercerBears.com.
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Wilder led the Bears to 147 wins during his tenure as the men's basketball head coach, ranking him third on the program's all-time wins list. A member of Mercer University's class of 1952, Wilder played basketball for the Bears from 1950-52. He is a member of the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame and Mercer Athletics Hall of Fame (1974).
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"Coach Wilder was a legend and well-respected instructor at Mercer," said Director of Athletics Jim Cole. "As a student at Mercer, I fondly remember the classes that I took from him. He always had a kind word and a gentle way of getting his point across to me. He will be missed by everyone in the Mercer Family."
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Wilder served in the United States Army and was a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church. He later received his doctorate from Peabody College, now Vanderbilt University. He taught full-time at Mercer and additionally wrote Grid Iron Glory Days, a history of Mercer University's football program from 1892-1942.
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Survivors include his wife of 31 years, Ella Ruth "Ellie" Wilder; children, Robert Wilder of Gainesville, Florida, David Wilder of Tampa, Florida; stepchildren, Katharine Sims of Niceville, Florida, Susan Sims of Portland, Oregon, and Harry E. Sims Jr. of Hattiesburg, Mississippi; and a nephew, James E. Graham of St. Simons Island. He is preceded in death by his parents, David and Blanche Wilder and a sister, Nita Beatty.
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Wilder's family will receive friends in the Parrish Hall of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 305 Central Avenue in Fort Valley, beginning at 1 p.m. Thursday, March 21. A memorial service will follow at 2 p.m. in the church sanctuary.
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Follow the Bears
For complete coverage of Mercer Athletics, please follow the Bears on social media at @MercerBears (Twitter) visit the official home of Mercer Athletics at www.MercerBears.com.
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