Wilmuth Alberto Christopher was born on Dec. 5, 1932, on St. Thomas, U. S. Virgin Islands, to the late Anesta Sylvanita Christopher. He lost his battle with illness on Dec. 3 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., where he has resided for the past 14 years.
Wilmuth, also known as Chris, was better known to some as “Thrushie.” He was educated in the St. Thomas school system. He served in the U.S Army during the Korean War and subsequently was stationed at various bases during his 12 years in the Army.
After returning to St. Thomas, he turned his love of electronics into a successful career and became a TV and audio installation expert on the island for many years. He owned an electronic repair shop called Chris Electronics and had a passion for making everyone’s mixed eight-track and cassette tapes. Almost everyone knew him, from hoteliers, restaurateurs and shopkeepers to local bar owners and residents throughout every part of his sweet home of St. Thomas. His easy-going friendly manner and his dry wit and sense of humor caused everyone who met him to love him.
And he in turn loved the people of St. Thomas and every part of the Island. He enjoyed many hours of sharing memories with and about his close friends, who will deeply miss him, including Eric Klyvert, Stout, his former Army buddies and many others too numerous to mention. A proud St. Thomian and member of the St. Thomas American Legion, he never wanted to change posts because this is where his heart was always. He was a music enthusiast and maintained an impressive collection of jazz, Latin and calypso albums, tapes and CDs.
Chris was predeceased by his mother, Anesta Sylvanita Christopher; former wife, Helen Marie Bell Christopher; daughter, Deshera Christopher; siblings: Edris Gruel de Delgardo, Oliver Christopher, Enid Gruel, Mario Russell and Warren Gruel, with whom he will meet again. He is the former husband of Joan Christopher.
He leaves behind to cherish his memory his loving companion of 28 years, Charlene Griffin of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; his children: Bonnie F. Christopher-Johnson (husband Larry), Sheila A. Christopher-Atako (husband Jeffrey), Terrie L. Christopher-Hodge (husband Clifton), Michael W. Christopher, Joy S. Christopher, and Kevin G. and Kirsten A. Christopher; and siblings: Andromena Abramson, Granville Christopher and Athniel “Chamie” Foy.
He is also so survived by his grandchildren: Raquel N. Forbes, Kari Ann Stair (husband Kimon), Clifton Hodge Jr. and Christopher Hodge (wife Desma); six great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews: Velma, Verma, Erma, Carl, Anselmo Jr. and Earl Abramson, Rebecca Russell, Mario Russell Jr., Keith Gruel, Evette Gruel; and a host of cousins, other relatives and friends.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m., Jan. 4, 2017, at the Methodist Church in Market Square on St. Thomas.
