FAIRFAX, Va. – Emy Wilson Wildes died peacefully Oct. 30, 2009, at her home. Emy was born Nov. 11, 1912, in Clarion, Pa., daughter of Walter Winfield Wilson and Emma Johnston Wilson. Emy attended Hollins College, Roanoke, Va., entering with the Class of 1935. While at Hollins, Emy met Gordon Weber Wildes, who was then a member of the Corps of Cadets at Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Blacksburg, Va. After his graduation, Emy and Gordon were married Aug. 22, 1936, in Clarion, Va., and began their life together in Johnson City, Tenn. Gordon was called to active duty in 1941, and together Emy and Gordon shared a life together in a 25-year career in the U.S. Army and then the U.S. Air Force, with duty stations in Alabama; Georgia; Alaska; Washington, D.C.; Texas; Germany; Japan and Hawaii. After their retirement in 1966, Emy and Gordon moved to Winterport, where they lived for the next 28 years. After Gordon’s passing in 1994, Emy moved to Fairfax Retirement Community, Fort Belvoir, Va. Emy is survived by two daughters, Nancy Redgate of Alexandria, Va., and Mary Strain of Oklahoma City, Okla.; son, David Wildes of Alexandria, Va.; 10 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Emy will be buried with Gordon, Dec. 2 at Arlington National Cemetery in a private family service. Gifts in memory of Emy Wildes may be sent to Thornton W. Burgess Society, 6 Discovery Road, East Sandwich, MA 02537.
EMY WILSON WILDES
