Wilda Marie Redin (Plainview)

PLAINVIEW - Wilda Hutcherson Redin, 99, of Plainview, went to be with her Lord and Savior on January 26, 2021, after a battle with complications from the Covid-19 virus. Due to Covid-19 pandemic, there will be a private family only graveside service. Viewing will be Thursday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Kornerstone Funeral Directors in Plainview. Wilda was born March 11, 1921, to Rollie Adelbert and Olive Mae Hewett in Harrison, Arkansas. She grew up in Iowa and Missouri, moving to Texas in 1937. She graduated from Cotton Center High School in 1938, then completed Lippert Business College in Plainview. It was when she and her twin sister, Wilma, took jobs in a bakery that she developed her love for cooking. She was known for being a great cook throughout her life. On May 7, 1942, Wilda married Claude E. Hutcherson in Clovis, N.M. They lived on the family farm in Hart, later moving to Plainview when Claude established Hutcherson Air Service. Beginning in 1949, the Hutchersons sponsored Wayland Baptist University’s women’s basketball team, using their private airplanes to fly them to out of town games. They provided financial support and transportation as well as opening the doors of their home to all the players. In addition, they established endowed scholarships for the Flying Queens. In 1971, Wilda and Claude were principal donors for the new physical education complex at Wayland which now bears their name. Hutcherson Physical Education Center, known as the “Hutch,” is the home of Wayland athletics. Claude died in 1977. Ten years later, Wilda married former Flying Queens coach, Harley Redin, whose wife, Winona died in 1984. A lifetime supporter of Wayland, Wilda was awarded WBU’s doctor of letters degree in 1991. She was inducted into the Wayland Baptist Athletics Hall of Honor Class of 1992. At the 2016 annual meeting of the Hutcherson Flying Queens Foundation, Plainview Mayor Wendell Dunlap read a proclamation declaring September 10, 2016, Wilda Hutcherson Redin Day in Plainview, Wilda has quietly remained a driving force behind many gifts to Wayland, continuing to support projects benefiting Hutcherson Physical Education Center including renovating the lighting system, updating the Harley Redin Hall of Honor, remodeling the entrance to Hutcherson Center and replacing floor level bleachers. In 2015, a plaque honoring Wilda and Claude was installed in the Walk of Fame at the Historic Fair Theatre in Downtown Plainview. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Plainview. Wilda’s list of achievements are extensive and include earning her private pilot’s license, involvement in the Texas Chapter of the International Flying Farmers and was a Texas Flying Farmers Queen, volunteering with the “Pink Ladies” Hospital Auxiliary; Toastmasters International, the Women’s Division of the Plainview Chamber of Commerce, and Order of the Eastern Star. An accomplished seamstress, she enjoyed painting and firing ceramics and was an amazing cook. Throughout her life, she loved to cook and entertain in her home. An avid reader, up until December 2020, she read at least one or more books weekly. Wilda is preceded in death by her parents; her husbands, Claude E. Hutcherson and Harley J. Redin; her sister, Wilma Seipp; brother, Delbert Hewett; step- daughter, Marsha George; granddaughter, Constance Hutcherson; and grandsons, Kerry George and Danny George. Survivors include her brother, Ernest Hewitt and his wife, Louise, of Redding, California; son Mike Hutcherson and his wife, Suzy, of Lubbock, step-sons Van Redin of Austin and Kenny Redin and his wife, Cathy, of Austin. Grandchildren: Taylor Hutcherson of Austin, Abbi Hutcherson Maher and husband, John, of Nashville; Michael Claude Hutcherson of Spicewood; Ronda Hutcherson Stockmeyer and husband, John, of Enid; Jacqueline Redin and Ryan Redin of Austin; Barry George and wife Rhonda of Hart; Cynthia Gerber and husband, Greg, of Nazareth; and Heather Peery and husband Mike; Sally George Mroczkowski and husband, Conrad; 13 great grandchildren and 10 great great grandchildren. A charitable donation in Wilda’s memory can be made the charity of your choice or to the Hutcherson Flying Queens Foundation (a non-profit, tax deductible organization) at HFQ Foundation, 2913 B Lovell Dr., Austin, TX 78723. Online donations can be made at flyingqueensfoundation.com/donate/.