Douglas Wilding

Douglas J. Wilding, age 81, a resident of Royal Oak for 54 years, died February 9, 2010 at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak. He was born October 25, 1928 in Ferndale. Mr. Wilding was a veteran of the U.S. Navy. He retired in 1983 from the City of Royal Oak Water Department, as the Superintendent, after 30 years of service. He loved woodworking and boating. He is survived by his wife, Mary Geraldine Battersby Wilding; the couple were married April 18, 1953 at St. Benedict Catholic Church in Highland Park; children, Suzi Bill Gordon of Madison Heights, Mark Charlene Wilding of Grafton, WI, Gerard Joanie Wilding of Macomb, Colleen Eric Smits of Sterling Heights and Sheila Bill Pittman of Southfield; sister, June Snoeberger of Shelby Township; 16 grandchildren and six great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Kate Wilding. The visitation will be Friday 2-8:30 p.m. with a 7:30 p.m. prayer service at Wm. Sullivan & Son Funeral Home, 705 W Eleven Mile Road 4 blks. E of Woodward, Royal Oak. Mr. Wilding will lie in state Saturday 9:30 a.m. until the time of Mass 10 a.m. at the National Shrine of the Little Flower in Royal Oak, with the Rev. Gerard Battersby officiating. The burial will take place at Oakview Cemetery in Royal Oak. Memorials to St. Patrick's Senior Center, 58 Parsons Street, Detroit, MI 48201. Share your memories at www.sullivanfuneraldirectors.com.