February 10, 2022
CMSgt. Richard Wayne Wilt, USAF, (Retired), of Smithville, Tennessee passed away at age 65 on February 9, 2022. He fought the good fight against cancer for 5 ½ years. Mr. Wilt was born March 12, 1956, to his parents, the late John William and Betty Lee Smith Wilt in Mt. Clemons, MI. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, John Wilt (Vietnam) and James “Shorty” Mathis; two sisters, Debbie Nowlin and Linda Paitsel.
He entered the U.S. Air Force in 1974 and retired in 2006 at which time he moved to Auburntown, TN. During his time in the Air Force, he was on five continents, in twenty-six countries and in 48 states. His awards included: Meritorious Service (2), AF Commendation, Outstanding Unit (3), Overseas, Recruiting, National Defense, AF Longevity, AF Reserve, AF Military Academy, AF Small Arms Expert, AF Training, Saudi Arabian Liberation of Kuwait, and Kuwait Liberation.
He attended a 4-year Education for Ministry (EFM) Class through the University of the South in Sewanee, TN and he also had 3 1/2 years college. Richard was a member of St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in Cookeville, TN where he served as a Senior Warden, Junior Warden, Eucharistic Minister, the Altar Guild, was a Sunday school teacher and the leading Mentor for the EFM class.
He leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Patricia Wilt of Smithville; 2 children, Richard Henry (Melissa) Wilt of Valdosta, GA, Pamela Sue (Jon) Haney of Auburn, AL; 4 grandchildren, Josie and Henry Wilt and Jake and Aubrey Haney; sister, Susan Burner of Phillipi, WV; 2 cousins, Jackson Hays of Auburntown, TN and Terry Wilt of Newburg, WV, and nephew Matthew Paige, Reva, VA.
Funeral services will be held 3 PM Tuesday, February 15, 2022 at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, Cookeville, TN with the Rev. Michael Blaess officiating and military honors conducted by the Veterans Honor Guard. Visitation at the Church before the Service at 1:30pm. Visitation will be at DeKalb Funeral Chapel on Monday, February 14, 2022 from 3:00-6:00 pm. Burial with full military honors will be held at the West Virginia National Cemetery in Pruntytown, WV on Thursday, February 17, 2022 at 2 PM EST.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, Building Fund, in memory of Richard.
DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.