NATCHEZ — Services for Oliver Newton Wilds, Jr., 81, who died Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2007, at his residence, will be 9:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Mary Basilica with the Rev. David O’Connor officiating.

Burial will follow at Natchez City Cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Mr. Wilds was born March 11, 1926, in Natchez, the son of Oliver Newton Wilds Sr. and Alice Robinson Wilds. He graduated from Davidson High School in St. Joseph. He attended Louisiana Tech for one year. He attended Harvard Midshipman School and was commissioned into the U.S. Navy in 1944. He served as a supply officer in the Philippines until the end of World War II. He graduated from Louisiana State University. He attended Parsons School of Interior Design and graduated from Feather and Feather School of Interior Design. He founded his own interior design firm in Austin, Texas in 1963. He was joined by Robert Canon in 1964. He moved the firm to Houston in 1965 where he lived for 30 years. He purchased the Briars in Natchez in 1975, where he restored the house, created the gardens and operated a bed and breakfast.

Survivors include his life partner of 43 years, Robert Canon of Natchez; nephews, Paul A. Myers III of Gulf Breeze, Fla. and Morris Myers of Temecula, Calif.; and nieces, LaRue Cooper of Dry Prong, La. and Robin Myers of St. Joseph; and a number of great nieces and great nephews.

Pallbearers will be Morris Myers, Paul Myers, Andy Myers, David Lee, Oliver Myers, Jackson Cooper, Anthony Murray and Tom Reason.

Memorials may be made to the Natchez Adams County Humane Society or a charity of choice. 1922-02-26

Online condolences may be sent to the family at lairdfh.com.