John S. Wilds, 92, of Bear, DE, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Friday, December 30, 2016. Born on April 29, 1924 in Kent County, DE, he was the son of the late Herman and Helen (Jump) Wilds.

After serving two years in the Air Corps and five years in the Army during World War II and the Korean Conflict, John entered the work force. He sold paint for PPG Industries and then worked as a facilities manager at the Hampton Inn in Newark, DE. John loved hiking the Appalachian Trail, and was a member of the Wilmington Trail Club. He also enjoyed listening to music, especially Big Band and Frank Sinatra. Photography was one of John’s joys in life and he eventually began developing his own prints. He had a passion for learning about military history and the army, and also loved cars. John owned a Porsche and was a member of the Porsche Club. He greatly enjoyed football, baseball, and road trips across the country.

John is survived by his wife of 62 years, Louise Wilds, of Bear, DE; three sons: Mark Wilds of Elkton, MD, Glenn Wilds and his wife, Karen, of Newark, DE, and Wayne Wilds and his wife, Carolyn, of Bear, DE; three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents, John is preceded in death by three brothers: James, Billy and Allen; and two sisters: Elizabeth and Anna.

A memorial service will be held in John’s honor at 2PM on Monday, January 9, 2017 at Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 2465 Chesapeake City Road, Bear, DE 19701. Family and friends are asked to meet at R.T. Foard and Jones, Inc., 122 W. Main Street, Newark, DE 19711, at 1PM to go in procession to the cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made payable to “Disabled Veterans of America” and sent in care of the funeral home.