Walter Wildman

Walter Brewer Wildman III, 77, of Cape Girardeau died Thursday, Oct. 20, 2022, at his home.

He was born April 2, 1945, in Memphis, Tennessee, to Walter B. and Mary E. Goldsmith Wildman. He and Norma L. Talley were married Aug. 29, 1970, at First Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau.

Walt served in the U.S. Air Force, working on B-52 aircraft navigation systems as part of the Strategic Air Command (SAC) during the Vietnam era and reaching the rank of sergeant E-4 before his honorable discharge in 1969.

He was a 1963 graduate of Clearwater High School in Piedmont, Missouri, and received a bachelor's degree in psychology and business from Southeast Missouri State University in 1971.

Throughout his many professional, civic and personal roles, Walt was a champion for the marginalized and underserved. A fierce advocate for broad inclusion and equitable economic development, his professional career included executive roles at the Regional Commerce and Growth Association, Habitat for Humanity, I-66 Transamerica Highway Project, Empower Missouri, Boy Scouts of America and Easter Seals Society. The longer arc of Walt's career reflected his eclectic interests and talents, including professional photography, direct social services, community advocacy and federal lobbying.

Always a bridge builder, Walt could bring diverse groups together for a common cause. He volunteered on numerous local boards and fundraising campaigns, most recently for Missouri Veterans Home Foundation Board, Senate Bill (SB)-40 Board, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Southeast Missouri Pets Capital Campaign Steering Committee (formerly Humane Society of Southeast Missouri) and as president of Southeast Missouri State University Alumni Association's Board of Directors.

Although his work in the community was largely behind the scenes, he did receive some public recognition. For example, he was honored as an "Unsung Hero" by National Multiple Sclerosis Society in 2007 and nominated for a Southeast Missourian "Spirit of America" Award in 2012. During his five-year term as chapter adviser for the Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity at Southeast Missouri State University, he was a coach and mentor to more than 100 young men. In 2009, he was recognized as one of the most influential personalities in the fraternity's first two decades and inducted into the chapter's inaugural Hall of Fame at its 20th anniversary gala.

Walt was a member of La Croix United Methodist Church, where he volunteered in the Reign Forest (church nursery) for many years. Walt enjoyed serving as an honorary "Papaw" to babies and toddlers in the church nursery, where he was revered for his ability to soothe, calm and delight the little ones in his care.

Loving survivors include his wife of 52 years, Norma L. Wildman of Cape Girardeau; two daughters, Teresa (Eric) Wilke of Cape Girardeau and Jennifer (Cliff) Sodergren of St. Louis; three sisters, Betty Wells of Kennedale, Texas, Carolyn Andrews of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Diana Sparr of Chelsea, Michigan; sister-in-law, Debra Followell of Cape Girardeau; three granddaughters, Olivia Wilke, Anna Wilke and Elizabeth Sodergren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers-in-law, Whitey Wells and Brad Followell.

A gathering of friends and family will be from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday, Oct. 27, at La Croix United Methodist Church in Cape Girardeau.

Pastor Brett Cheek will conduct the funeral service at noon Thursday, Oct. 27, at the church. Military honors will be rendered at 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27, at Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to Missouri Veterans Home Foundation in Cape Girardeau or Southeast Missouri Pets.

McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson is in charge of arrangements.