NASHVILLE — Former Lt. Gov. John Wilder's son said his father was in "serious" condition Tuesday, but his family is hopeful that his health will improve.
"At this point there are a lot of unanswered questions," said Shelton Wilder, who discovered his father Monday afternoon at his home. "But we've got a lot of hope and a lot of faith."
Wilder didn't reveal why his father was hospitalized or which hospital he was in. But earlier Tuesday, Steve Butler, chairman of the Fayette County Democratic Party, said the 88-year-old elder Wilder had suffered a stroke and was in "pretty serious" condition in the intensive care unit of Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis.
"It obviously happened sometime yesterday morning and they didn't find him until the afternoon, about 1:30," Butler said.
Sam McKnight, director of Fayette County's Emergency Medical Service, said Wilder lives alone but his family lives nearby.
"They talk on the cell phone regular and they couldn't get him so they went over to check on him," McKnight said.
McKnight said privacy laws prevent him from speaking about Wilder's medical condition.
"But I do know him personally, and he's a tough old bird," McKnight said.
Butler said many people are praying for Wilder's recovery.
"Of course, we all love Gov. Wilder," Butler said. ... "He's still referred to as 'Governor' and I guess he always will be."
Shelton Wilder said his family appreciates all the concern from people.
"They've been most gracious to us," he said.
Wilder was Senate speaker for 36 years, making him the longest-serving presiding officer of a legislative chamber in modern U.S. history. As lieutenant governor from 1971 to 2007 he was also the second-ranking official in the state. He retired from the Legislature in 2008.
Former Democratic Gov. Ned McWherter, a close friend of Wilder's, said he talked to him right before Christmas. He said Wilder "seemed very well" and that he talked about helping Democrats gain control of the Senate, which is now controlled 19-14 by Republicans.
"I said 'John, you going to be involved in that,' and he said, 'I'm going to do anything I possibly can to help them,'" McWherter said.
As speaker, Wilder distributed key committee assignments to both Republicans and Democrats to defeat challengers for his post from both parties. He retired from the General Assembly in 2008.
Supporters long cited Wilder's light touch in controlling the 33-member Senate, letting it take a path of its own choosing. Wilder's mantra of "the Senate is the Senate" was often followed by expressions of pride for the members' actions — no matter what they might have been.
Wilder built a reputation for refusing to publicly state his support for — or opposition to — key pieces of legislation until it was a time for a vote.
Wilder was also known for sometimes rambling and bizarre speeches, including explaining his philosophy on the "cosmos."
Nevertheless, he still garnered much respect.
"He is one of those people who has made history in Tennessee and is known all over the country," said John Deberry, a Memphis Democrat and chairman of the Tennessee Black Caucus. "I think that all of the people of the state of Tennessee wish him well ... and hope that he recovers."
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