Wilton Collin Hand

Wilton Collin Hand, 75, retired Director of Tennessee State Industries with the Tennessee Department of Correction and resident of Trotwood Avenue, died Sunday, November 6, 2011 at VA Medical Center in Murfreesboro. Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday at 2:00 P.M. at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home officiated by the Columbia Masonic Lodge #31. Burial will follow in Polk Memorial Gardens with military honors provided by Herbert Griffin American Legion Post 19. The family will visit with friends Wednesday from 12:00 - 2:00 P.M. at the funeral home. The family suggests memorials to Shriners' Children's Hospital, c/o Kenneth Eubank, 1308 Trotwood Avenue, Columbia, TN 38401. Notes of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.oakesandnichols.com. A native of Hazelhurst, Georgia, he was the son of the late Benjamin Bartow Hand and Elva Carter Hand. In July 1962 he married Sarah Pugh Hand who preceded him in death on August 21, 2010. Mr. Hand earned his Associates Degree in Psychology from Columbia State Community College and an Associates Degree in Sociology from Austin Peay University. He had made his home in Columbia since 1966. He served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. He was a member of Columbia Masonic Lodge #31, Herbert Griffin American Legion Post 19, Eastern Star and was a Shriner. He is survived by one son, Daniel R. "Danny" (Leslie) White of Lewisburg; seven grandchildren; and seven great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by son, Lawson Wayne White, Sr. Active pallbearers will be family and friends. Honorary pallbearers will be members of Columbia Masonic Lodge #31.