William J. Wilburn

William Joe Wilburn, 78, of Bucyrus, died peacefully early Sunday morning, September 1, 2013 at Heartland of Bucyrus where he was being cared for in recent weeks. He recently received Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and looked forward to joining friends and family in Heaven.

Son of the late John and Inez (Martin) Wilburn, Bill was born January 29, 1935 in Julian, W.Va. His family moved to the Bucyrus area when he was a teenager. A man told Bill that he should meet his good looking niece, Shirley Ann Ream, who admits she might have even flirted a little bit from a porch swing. They were married June 12, 1954 and still enjoyed their porch swing where they liked watching hummingbirds and nature.

Bill worked at North Electric for the majority of his career, also making stops at Cobey and Swan Rubber. He "retired" from Bloomville IGA where he was hanging out and helping so much that they put him on the payroll. He loved playing sports like softball and football and being an outdoorsman, hunting and fishing. He also adored all children; from his beloved grandchildren, to the kids his daughter babysat for, to the countless kids he coached in Little League.

While Bill was a homebody, one thing that always got him out was his grandkids' sporting events where he was a fixture. He would do anything for his family and was still teaching life lessons to his children in recent weeks demonstrating strength, perseverance, and love giving kisses and pats on the back. Bill will always be remembered as a jokester; he loved to make everyone laugh and smile.

Bill is survived by Shirley, his bride of 59 years; their children, Bill (Lori) Wilburn, Becky (Jim) Nickelson, Brenda Pace, Pam (Mark) Williamson, Brad Wilburn and Doug Wilburn; 18 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; three siblings in West Virginia, Dick (Sandy) Wilburn, Judy (Mike) Hale and Nancy (Bill) Gillenwater along with numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by five brothers and sisters.

The Wilburn family will receive friends from 5-8 p.m. on Thursday, September 5 at Wise Funeral Service. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, September 6 at the Bucyrus Nazarene Church with Pastor Ray LaSalle officiating. Burial will follow in Lust Cemetery, south of Chatfield.

Memorial contributions can be given to the Gideons or a charity of the donor's choice through the funeral home and memories are encouraged in the Memorial Guestbook below.



Visitation:

Thursday, September 5, 2013 5-8 p.m.

Wise Funeral Service, 129 W. Warren St., Bucyrus, Ohio 44820



Service:

Friday, September 6, 2013 11:00 a.m.

Bucyrus Nazarene Church, 2165 Ohio 4, Bucyrus, Ohio 44820



Cemetery:

Lust Cemetery, 6001 Ohio 4, Chatfield, Ohio 44825