Obituary of Rolland Wild

Rolland B. Wild, passed away February 10, 2011 after a long struggle as a result of complications following hip surgery. Rolland was born in Chico on Dec. 16, 1931 to Gwendolen and Ralph Wild. He spent most of his childhood in the Magalia area. He joined the U.S. Army and fought in the Korean War. While in Korea he was assigned to the front lines and fought for almost a year in active combat exceeding the maximum time of soldier assignment. When he came back to the U.S. he met and married the love of his life. Barbara Jean Freese in 1953. Rolland and Barbara raised five children. To support his family he was a truck driver, millworker and ran a couple of small businesses. He obtained his pilot's license at a young age and loved flying his Stinson Airplane. He often worked on blueprints for his latest innovative flying machine idea. His family fondly remembers the enormous airplane sections in the backyard and garage as he painstakingly rebuilt a WWII fighter (PT19) airplane. Rolland enjoyed camping and fishing with family as well as taking his boat out to the local lakes. He spoke often about growing up around the Steifer Gold Mine and his family enjoyed hearing the many stories. He is preceded in death by his Daughter, Brenda White and Son, Curtis Wild. He is survived by his wife Barbara, children Janice Durfee (Ray), Deborah Loosli, Stacy Cullen (Rex), Daughter-in-Law Kim Wild, Son-in-Law Martin White, 13 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and 1 more great grandchild on the way. A Service will be held at Brusie's Funeral Home in Chico February 16, 2011 at 1pm. Visitation is scheduled February 15, 2011 from 5-8pm at Brusies. Donations may be made to the Jesus Center.