Paul W. Wilderson Jr 1917 - 2005

WILDERSON

Posted By: Connie Swearingen -Volunteer (email)
Date: 1/21/2019 at 15:45:08

Sioux city Journal
11 January 2005

Paul W. Wilderson Jr., 87, of Atlantic Beach, Fla., formerly of Sioux City, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2005, at Fleet Landing, Fla.

Services were held Jan. 10, at St. John's Catholic Church in Atlantic Beach, where the Rev. Joseph Meehan officiated. Burial was in Beaches Memorial Park Cemetery, followed by a reception at the "O" Club in Fleet Landing. Arrangements were under the direction of Quinn-Shalz Family Funeral Home in Jacksonville Beach, Fla.

Paul was born Dec. 2, 1917, in Des Moines. He graduated from Roosevelt High School in Des Moines in 1936, and received his bachelor of arts degree in economics from Iowa State University in 1940. He received his master of arts degree in economics from New York University in 1941.

He served with distinction in the European Theater during World War II as a captain with the 56th Field Artillery Battalion, 8th Infantry Division, which took part in the Allied D-Day operation in Normandy, France at Utah Beach on the Cotentin Peninsula in June 1944. He received four campaign ribbons, a Purple Heart Medal and the Bronze Star Medal for his outstanding service during his two-year campaign.

He moved to Atlantic Beach from Sanibel Island, Fla. in 2002, where he retired after serving for more than 36 years as president and owner of Williges, a retail women's clothing store, in Sioux City.

His contributions as a community leader in Sioux City included, president of the Central States Furriers Association and the Greater Siouxland Merchandising Council. He also served as the United Way chairman and was on the board of directors of the Sioux City Art Center and the Greater Siouxland Merchandising Council, on the board of trustees for Westmar College, the lay advisory board for St. Joseph's Mercy Hospital and the Salvation Army advisory board. After his retirement, he was a founding member of the Captiva Yacht Club, Captiva Island, Fla., where he remained actively involved until his move to Atlantic Beach in 2002.

Family members include a son, Paul W. Wilderson III of Stevensville, Md.; a daughter, Sandra (John D.) Coleman-Bowsman of Jacksonville, Fla.; grandchildren, Amy Coleman, William (Connie) Coleman, Sarah Wilderson and Clare Wilderson; and great-grandchildren, Alex, Cade, Joshua and Olivia Coleman.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Helen in May 2004.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Catholic Charities, Community Hospice of Northeast Florida, the Salvation Army or the donor's favorite charity.