Raymond Wilder Obituary

Wilder
Raymond "Buzz" Edward
Wilder
October 7, 1931
September 18, 2025

Raymond Edward (Buzz) Wilder passed away peacefully on September 18, 2025, in Naples, Florida. He was born on October 7, 1931 to Raymond and Alma Wilder in Muskegon, MI. He spent his early years in Fruitport, MI where his adventurous nature was often a worry to his parents, but he survived with only a few bumps and bruises. At the young age of 13, he earned an Eagle Scout Badge, one of his many accomplished goals. He was a guard on the football team at Muskegon High School, from which he graduated in 1949.
His next adventure was joining the Marines in 1950, along with his buddies Bob Buck and Carl (Si) Seifert. He served three years in Korea and 36 years in active Reserve, retiring with the rank of Colonel. After Korea, he earned a BA at Michigan State University and a Doctor of Law at the University of Colorado. He was a practicing attorney in Colorado Springs, Colorado for 46 years.
He married Patricia Erickson in 1955, the beginning of another adventure that lasted 70 years. They raised six children, Ann Smerud (Tom), John Wilder (deceased), Nancy Hall (Mike), Janet Thurston (Greg), Sandy Negaard (Russ) and Jim Wilder (Kate). They had a busy and adventurous life in Colorado Springs for 56 years.
His life accomplishments included volunteering on many civic boards - Kiwanis, Cheyenne Mountain School, Broadmoor Improvement Society, State Representative and 15 years on Community College board where he made many life-long friends. He was a long-time member of the El Paso Club and Cheyenne Mountain Country Club. He had a life-long love of boating, which he chose to fulfill by taking many adventures to Lake Powell. His other interests included reading, hunting, fishing, hiking the Colorado mountains, and being a "beach bum" in Florida.
Buzz is survived by his wife, Pat, his brother Don Wilder (Pat), five children, 18 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren. Buzz is predeceased by his parents, his brother, Fred Wilder, his son, John Wilder and his great grandson, Aivor Thurston.
Services will be held at Swan-Law Funeral Directors on Thursday, October 16, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. with the committal service following at Pikes Peak National Cemetery at 12:00 p.m.