Wylds, William Henry

William (Bill) Henry Wylds died peacefully in his apartment in Dublin, Ohio, on September 12, 2007 at the age of 96.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Jean; and his brothers, Albert Pugh and Robert Sanders. He is survived by his sisters-in-law, Anthea Pugh (Radford, Va.) and Bernice Sanders (Marysville, Mich.), plus nieces, nephews, and other family members.

He was born William Henry Pugh on June 26, 1911, in Kingswinford, England to Bert and Frances Pugh. In 1915 he immigrated to the United States and grew up in Port Huron, Mich. He graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a degree in teaching. Bill served as an officer in the Coast Guard in World War II and married Teresa Jean Mugen in 1943.

After the war, he was an engineer for Chrysler Motors, Dodge Division, in Detroit, Mich. During this time he changed his name to Wylds, his mother’s maiden name. In 1956, he and Jean moved to Miami, Fla., where he ran a liquor store. He and Jean returned to Michigan in 1971. After Jean’s death in 1990, Bill returned to Florida and settled in Ocala. He moved to Dublin, Ohio in 2006.

Bill loved cars and animals, especially dogs and horses. He is remembered by his family as an independent man with a tender heart and a great sense of humor.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 24, 2007 at Grace Episcopal Church in Radford. The Rev. Vickie Houk of Pulaski will preside. The family recommends that memorial contributions be made to a local chapter of the SPCA.