Chapter Eternal

Dr. Samuel Jobe Wilder, Jr. ’57

Clinton, Mississippi
August 18, 1935 – February 18, 2021

Dr. Samuel Jobe Wilder, Jr., 85, of Clinton, Mississippi died on February 17 at home.

Jobe Wilder was born on August 18, 1935 in Columbus, Mississippi, son of Samuel Jobe Wilder, Sr. and Clara Louise (Fox). Dr. Wilder was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret Louise “Peggy” Cail of Danvers, Massachusetts.

Jobe graduated from Lee High School in Columbus, MS; then attended the University of MS, where he attained a Bachelor of Arts degree, double majoring in Chemistry and German and graduating in 1957. Wilder was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity and an honored member of the Pride of the South Ole Miss Marching Band. After completing his undergraduate work, he entered the United States Navy as an officer.

In 1959 Jobe married Peggy and they moved to Jackson, Mississippi where he began attending medical school at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Dr. Wilder completed his residency in orthopedic medicine in Jacksonville, Florida and subsequently returned to Jackson to begin private practice with Dr. Thomas W. Talkington in southwest Jackson. Jobe was on staff at Hinds General Hospital and practiced medicine there for more than thirty years.

This engaging conversationalist and storyteller was an avid, some might say rabid, sports fan, especially when it came to Ole Miss Football, but would watch any and all sports. Recently he was caught watching girl’s fast pitch softball. He was crazy about a good joke and his anecdotes frequently left those around him in stitches. Jobe enjoyed fishing, studying World War II memorabilia and visiting those sites, singing in the church choir and listening to a plethora of all college football fight songs.

Dr. Wilder is survived by his three children, Elizabeth “Beth” Wilder Santoro (Paul), Beverly Anne Wilder, Andrew Jobe Wilder (Pamela), and three grandchildren, Joseph “Josh” Thibodeaux (Caitlin), Derek Ching, and Sarah Margaret Wilder, siblings Elizabeth “Betty” Austin and Donald Wilder (Brenda) as well as a multitude of nieces and nephews and his dog Lucy Lou.

A celebration of the life of Dr. Wilder will be held at the Episcopal Church of the Creator in Clinton, MS on March 4, 2021 @ 11:00 am CST. This will be a private service for immediate family only; however, the service will be available via Zoom. Please contact the family or church office for the link.

In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a donation in Dr. Wilder’s name to the Episcopal Church of the Creator or your favorite charity.

In all discourse, Jobe’s parting words were always: “Go to Hell LSU and State college too”.

Dr. Wiley C. Hutchins, I ’53

Columbus, Mississippi
Sep 19, 1931 – Jan 31, 2021

Memorial Gunter Peel Funeral Home and Crematory – 2nd Ave. North – Columbus Obituary

Dr. Wiley C. Hutchins of Columbus, MS died Sunday, January 31, 2021, at his home.

Born on September 19, 1931, in Charleston, MS to Harold Hammond Hutchins and Eleanor Robinson Hutchins, Wiley graduated from Charleston High School in 1949. He then enrolled at the University of Mississippi in Oxford where he joined Sigma Nu fraternity, twice serving as its Commander. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1953 and subsequently earned a Bachelor of Science.

Wiley married the love of his life, Mary Janice Morris of Macon, MS, in November 1953, and shortly thereafter, he entered in the U.S. Air Force as a first lieutenant. For most of his service, Wiley was stationed at Nouasseur Air Base in Casablanca, French Morocco, North Africa. He was discharged from the Air Force in late 1955, and resumed his education.

Wiley received his medical degree in 1960 from the University of Mississippi Medical Center at Jackson, and while there, he served as student body president. Wiley continued his medical training in Memphis, first as an intern at the City of Memphis Hospital and then as a general surgery resident at the Kennedy VA Hospital. He completed his training with a three year fellowship in orthopaedic surgery at The Campbell Foundation. He remained at the Campbell Clinic first as a member of the staff and subsequently as a partner. Wiley served as orthopaedic consultant to the Memphis State University Athletic teams and to the Liberty Bowl.

In June of 1977, Wiley and his family moved to Columbus, MS, where he founded the Columbus Orthopaedic Clinic, P.A. Soon thereafter, he became the team orthopaedist for the Mississippi State University athletic teams. He retired from the practice of medicine in 1996.

All of Wiley’s professional and community activities are too numerous to list, but included serving as president of the Mississippi Orthopaedic Society and as the Mississippi Representative on the Board of Councillors for the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. He was also an advisory member of the National Athletic Trainers Association and a contributor to the Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation. In Columbus, Wiley was a member of the Columbus Rotary Club and is a Paul Harris Fellow. In 1996, Wiley was selected as King of Junior Auxiliary Charity Ball. He served on the Boards of Directors for Heritage Academy, First Columbus National Bank, and the Friends of the Library.

In his free time, Wiley stayed busy landscaping his yard and gardens or working and hunting on the farm he shared with his son. Most of all, Wiley loved his family and enjoyed spending time with them whether at home or traveling. Wiley never met a stranger and he will be remembered by many for his baby blue eyes, beautiful smile, penchant for sweets and his never-ending generosity with his time and talents.

Wiley was a member of the Church of Christ, but most recently attended First United Methodist Church in Columbus, MS.

Wiley was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Janice, and his son, Jeffrey Stovall Hutchins. He is survived by three children: W. Carter Hutchins, Jr. (Patricia), Lauren J. Hutchins, and Leslie Hutchins Kennedy (Jody), all of Columbus, MS; four grandchildren: Amy Beaty (Eric) of Memphis, TN, Cindy Krutz (Bryan) of Santa Rosa Beach, FL, Wiley C. Hutchins, III (Courtney) of Columbus, MS, and Bryce Kennedy of Columbus, MS; and seven great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his devoted caregivers, Lucille Cattladge, Tammy Buchanan, Rosa Lee, Elaine Smith, and Donna Merritt.

Graveside services will be Wednesday, February 3, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. at Friendship Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Wiley Hutchins, III, Bryce Kennedy, Todd Gale, Strat Karatassos, Rusty Linton, and Louis Sharp. Honorary pallbearers are: Mike Batson, Jimmy Davis, Bill Gillespie, Jim Mauldin, Ralph McLain, Larry Morris, Hilary Hunt, Billy Phillips, Bud Phillips, Jack Reed, Charlie Rhea, Walt Starr, Si Thomas, Jim Winslow, Tom Whitaker, James Woodard, and Houston Hardy.

Memorials may be made to The Good Samaritan Medical Clinic, P.O. Box 661, Columbus, MS 39703; St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to the charity of your choice.

Dr. James “Jim” Morris O’Neal ’67

Dr. James “Jim” Morris O’Neal, 81, passed peacefully on Monday, Jan. 6, 2020. at his home in Oxford. Jim was preceded in death by his parents Lucien and Inez O’Neal of McComb, Miss.

Jim loved the field of chemistry and earned degrees in the science field from Tulane University, The University of Mississippi, culminating with a Ph.D. from The University of Southern Mississippi.

Most recently serving as a chemistry professor at The University of Mississippi, Jim enjoyed a long and diverse professional career including teaching positions at Grand Valley State University in Michigan, The University of Louisiana at Monroe, and the U.S. Army Chemical School at Fort McClellan, Ala., where he served as an active duty officer in the rank of Captain.Read More

William “Bill” Jacob Harrell ’69

William Jacob Harrell, affectionately known as “Bill” or “Jitters”, passed away on Monday, October 28, 2019, at the age of 72. A visitation to celebrate his life will be held on Friday, November 1, 2019 from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm in West Hall at Waller Funeral Home in Oxford, MS. A memorial service will immediately follow at 6:30 pm. A private graveside service will be held at a later date at Arlington Cemetery in Arlington, TN.

Bill was born in Memphis, TN on March 29, 1947 to the late Albert Griffin Harrell and Louise Ross Holmes Harrell. Growing up in Memphis, one of his favorite pastimes was his frequent visits to see relatives in nearby Arlington, TN. He graduated high school from Overton High School in Memphis and completed his undergraduate and law school studies at his beloved University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) in Oxford. While at Ole Miss, Bill was a member of the Sigma Nu Fraternity which provided a large and loving presence throughout his life. Bill’s career was spent in many fields including banking, law, and consulting. Bill was an avid Ole Miss and Chicago Cub fan. He found enjoyment throughout the years coaching and watching his son and grandchildren playing sports. He was able to finish his days in the town he loved, Oxford, and attended Pinelake Church. His advice and play by play breakdown of Ole Miss games will be missed.

Bill was preceded in death by his brother, Griffin Holmes Harrell and survived by his brother, Dan Harrell, of Baltimore, MD .

He is survived by his only child and son, Marshall Cody Harrell, Cody’s wife, Blair, and his grandchildren, Jack, Griffin, and Baylor Harrell of Hernando, MS.

Memorial contributions in Bill’s memory may be made to Pinelake Church of Oxford, 404 Enterprise Drive, Suite I, Oxford, MS 38655.

William “Bill” Henry McKenzie, III ’73

William “Bill” Henry McKenzie, III, died peacefully at home on Friday, May 12, 2017, of adenoid cystic carcinoma, a rare cancer. Visitation will be 5-7 PM in the Activities Building of the Batesville First United Methodist Church (119 Panola Avenue) Sunday, May 14, with services in the Sanctuary Monday, May 15, at 11 A.M. with Rev. Ed Temple officiating. Wells Funeral Home of Batesville, MS is in charge of arrangements.Read More

Timothy Alan “Tim” Ford ’73

Tim Ford passed away Friday 27th, 2015 at his home in Oxford, MS, 200 yards from the entrance to Ole Miss, the University of that he loved; with his wife, Kathy, the woman that he loved by his side. Tim was born October 22, 1951 in Baldwyn, Mississippi, the son of Dr. John Mitchell and Rachel Agnew Ford. Along with being a devoted Eagle Scout, Tim was Valedictorian and an All Tombigbee quarterback of the Baldwyn Bearcats. Tim went to Ole Miss and was a pole vaulter on the track team but after pledging Sigma Nu and being elected cheerleader, he abandoned track as well as his pre-med major. After graduation from Ole Miss Law School, Tim practiced law with Carnathan and Malski and was Assistant District Attorney until his election to the Mississippi House of Representatives at age 27. In 1986, he was elected Speaker at age 36. While Speaker, he chaired the Southern Legislative Conference, National Speakers Conference and the State Legislative Leaders Foundation. Tim was the first House Speaker in the nation to receive the William M. Bulger Excellence in State Legislative Leadership Award and was recipient of the Supreme Court 2003 Chief Justice Award. During his legislative career, Tim was a strong supporter of economic development, agriculture, fiscal affairs and education at all levels. On his retirement from the Legislature in 2004, he was the longest then serving Speaker in the United States and the second longest serving Speaker in the history of Mississippi. After his legislative career, Tim went back to the practice of law and was a Senior Partner and member of the Executive Committee of Balch and Bingham, a 250 member firm with offices in four states and Washington, D.C.

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