James Spencer Wildman, 23 years of age, of Prosser Washington was tragically killed in a traffic accident on January 7, 2017, a date which will be indelibly and terribly stamped in the minds of his loving family and many friends. Also taken in the accident was his friend, Dylan Bolt, 25 years of age, a lifelong resident of Prosser as well. The two had spent the day snowboarding at White Pass, when in route home, their vehicle slid from the icy state highway 12, near Naches Washington, and into the Naches River.
James was a natural athlete, and an avid and fearless snowboarder. A three letter Prosser High athlete, he graduated with the class of 2012. James was one of the fastest on the track, in the pool, and on the football field that Prosser had ever seen. In track and swimming James went to State finals all of his four years in relays and individual events as a proud Mustang athlete. In football, he was on the starting squad his last three years and was known for his lightning kick returns and pass-picking safety defense.
To become a professional firefighter was James’ career ambition. After completing his Tri Tech firefighting course work in Kennewick, WA while in high school, he secured a one year residency at the Walla Walla County Fire District Fire Department No. 5, in Burbank, Washington and received his EMT certification from Columbia Basin Community College, Pasco WA in 2012.
While working intermittently on the farm crew at WSU-IAREC, Prosser, James continued as a dedicated volunteer at the West Benton Prosser Fire and Rescue. He was hired on at West Benton Fire & Rescue as a seasonal fire fighter in 2016, and responded to many important emergency calls including the Range 12 fire on Rattlesnake Mountain, July 31st, 2016. Then, just a day later on little to no sleep he was released from the Range 12 fire to protect the town of Prosser and farmland to the South on the Ward Gap Fire.
James was known as a firefighter who never shirked from duty, and never hesitated to face danger in the service of others. At the first tones of his pager, he would be out the door like a shot while his parents could only stare in wonder and tremble just a little in fear. After his 6 month appointment expired, he was working toward an Associate Degree at Columbia Basin College, and continued to volunteer at West Benton Fire and Rescue up until the time of his death.
In 2004, Steve Bolt, father of Dylan, assembled a grid-kids football team known as the Wolf Pack. It was in those formative years under Steve’s guidance that James and a whole pack of boys became team mates, life-long comrades and partners in crime. The complete person that James was is further revealed through the many stories told by his closest friends about James and their many adventures. He was known as a selfless and caring person, usually with a “you-know-what” eating grin on his face. Charismatic, funny and always quick with a joke, he was a natural mimic, known for his spot-on impersonations. He did not know a stranger, had an amazing laugh and made everyone smile. On a Saturday night James and the Pack could often be found at Bern’s Tavern holding court and keeping the peace. He was an amazing pool player and would run the table before you knew it. Not quite as handy with a fishing pole as a pool cue, he was best known for his talent of stealing his fishing buddies’ best spots. James was a crack shot with rifle and pistol. He was very competitive at everything he did, did not like to lose at anything, and seldom did.
Born on October 14, 1993 at Kadlec Hospital, Richland, WA, James is survived by his parents, Tedd and Anke, brother, Ben, and sister Becky, as well as maternal grandmother, Regina Freimuth, of Ellenz Germany, and fraternal grandparents Gwen and Doyne Wildman of Liberty, Indiana. He also leaves behind a large family of aunts, uncles and cousins in both Germany and Indiana. James was preceded in death by his fraternal great-grandmother, Gleda Stevens, of Liberty Indiana, aunt, Roxanne Brandenburg of Clearwater, Florida, and maternal grandfather, Paul Freimuth of Ellenz Germany.
James was baptized and confirmed at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Prosser. A Memorial Mass will be held at Sacred Heart at 11:00 am on Saturday January 21st, followed by a Celebration of Life from 12:00 to 3:30 pm at the Walter J. Clore Wine and Culinary Center, also in Prosser. James’ ashes will be at interned at Prosser Cemetery. Condolences and messages can be conveyed directly to his parents, brother and sister, or sent to the Prosser Funeral Home and Crematory at www.prosserfuneralhome.com.
Flowers are welcome, but donations to a very special scholarship would be greatly appreciated. On January 8th, the West Benton Firefighters Association voted to create the James Spencer Wildman Memorial Scholarship for the benefit of graduating Prosser High School students. Alternatively, or in addition to James’ scholarship, he would have greatly appreciated donations to the Scott Firefighter Stair Climb, in support of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, which James completed in 2016 in 18 minutes. He was training hard for 2017. Please direct donations to the West Benton (Prosser) Firefighters Association.