NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. -- Thomas Clinton “TC” Wilder, Jr., of New Smyrna Beach, formr owner of the Settle-Wilder Funeral Home and credited with spearhading establishment of the Canaveral National Seashjore, died Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, at home. He was 88.
Born in Tifton, Ga, T. C. came to this area at age 12. A graduate of Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science, he was former owner of Settle-Wilder Funeral Home, where he started work in 1948, and continued to work until last year.
Always active in the community, Wilder was senior member and trustee at the First United Methodist Church; member of New Smyrna Beach Masonic Lodge No. 149 for 65 years, the Scottish Rite Valley of Orlando, and Bahia Shrine Temple; past president of Southeast Volusia Chamber of Commerce; and past president of New Smyrna Beach Lions Club; and charter member of the City of New Smyrna Beach Code Enforcement Board.
Social service activities included past chairman of the Blood Bank Committee for Southeast Volusia County; charter member and past president of the Southeast Volusia Visiting Nurse Association; and charter member and treasurer of the Salvation Army of New Smyrna Beach. Many consider that Wilder's most significant achievement was spearheading establishment of the Canaveral National Seashore, where he served on the advisory commission for 10 years.
Survivors include two sons, Larry of Ormond Beach and John (Linda) of El Paso, Texas; daughter, Cynthia Wilder of New Smyrna Beach; and grandchildren, Stacey Wilder of Jacksonville, Abigail, Elaina, and Samuel Wilder, all of El Paso. He was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Nancy, in January of this year.
Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 23 at First United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Larry Wilson officiating. A luncheon will follow in the church fellowship hall before interment in Edgewater-New Smyrna Cemetery. Friends will be received on Monday, October 22 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Settle-Wilder Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research Grand Central Station PO Box 4777, New York, NY 10163-4777 or American Heart Association (and/or American Stroke Assoc.),Greater Southeast Affiliate, P.O. Box 840692, Dallas TX 75284-0692.