James “Jim” Robert Wilgis, Sr

James Robert “Jim” Wilgis, Sr. 75, of Smiths Station, AL passed away peacefully Tuesday afternoon at the Columbus Hospice House in Columbus, GA. Funeral services with full Military Honors will take place 11:00 am EDT Saturday morning, June 13, 2014 at Vance Memorial Chapel in Phenix City with Rev. Grant Parker officiating. A private interment will be held by his family at Lakeview Memory Gardens. The family will receive friends Friday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 pm EDT at the funeral home. Mr. Wilgis was born January 23, 1940 in Chester, PA to the late Leon R. Wilgis and Anita Helen Dunlap Wilgis. He had 22 years with the Civil Service at Fort Benning and was a CW3 retired with 25 years of dedicated service in the United States Army. Mr. Wilgis was a member of Epworth United Methodist Church and was involved with many church activities including the Men's Ministry and Prayer Ministries. He enjoyed playing golf and tinkering with all the new types of technologies with his computer. Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by his biological mother, Loretta Horne and a grandchild, Kenleigh Wilgis. He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Ada Mae “Bonnie” Poole Wilgis of Smiths Station, AL, two sons, Tony Wilgis, and James R. Wilgis, Jr. and wife Tracy both of Salem, AL; sister, Karen Talarico and husband Jim of Sewell, NJ, brother, Ronnie Clements and wife Louise of Claymont, DE; (6) grandchildren, Lisa Suggs, Brandon Wilgis (Chelsea), Morgan Spencer (Dustin), Jenny Woodham (Micheal), Kacie Wilgis, and with broken hearts, Laura Wilgis who passed away just a day after her grandfather, (8) great grandchildren, Tyler, Hayden, Madison Grace, Masen, Leighlan, Lexi, Raylan, and Lyden, numerous other loving family members and many caring friends. In lieu of flowers, the family request contributions to the Epworth UMC Building Fund, online condolences may be made at www.vancememorialchapel.net