Wilbur Lee Whittle Obit

[an error occurred while processing this directive]

Wilbur Lee Whittle
Aug 9, 1933 - Oct 5, 2023
Posted by Martha Reddout

Wilbur Lee Whittle, 90, beloved father, grandfather, and husband left his earthly home peacefully on October 5, 2023, surrounded by his family.

Wilbur was born on August 9, 1933, in Rochelle, Georgia to Mattie Lee and Wilber Z. Whittle. He was the oldest of their three children. Wilbur grew up in Georgia. He loved to tell stories of his youth going to school, playing basketball, working at the local movie theater selling popcorn and changing the film reels, and managing the produce department at his local grocer.

He joined the United States Air Force in February 1953 which brought him to Ardmore. He was a Radio Operator on a C119 Flying Boxcar and his duties included a six-month tour in Europe based out of France. He proudly served his country until 1957 when he was honorably discharged. After leaving the military, he stayed in Ardmore and went to work at the Noble Foundation. He took notice of a secretary there, a hometown girl who would be the love of his life, Dolly Sue Bransford. Sue was so smitten with Wilbur, she found a new employer just so they could date. They were married on November 24, 1961. The couple's only child, Susan, was born in 1965. Wilbur and Sue made Ardmore their lifelong home. They were married for 45 years when Sue lost her battle with cancer.

Wilbur spent his 33-year career at the Noble Foundation as a cell biologist active in cancer research. He was passionate about his work and continued to follow the advances in his field long after his retirement. He loved science and found a lot of joy in helping young students with science fair projects. A faithful man, Wilbur was a deacon at First Baptist Church in Ardmore. He was active in the leadership of his church, spending his Sundays as an usher until the last years of his life. He volunteered with his wife at the Triangle Home and Community Education Club at their annual fundraiser events. Making the most of their golden years, Wilbur and Sue loved to travel. After their daughter married a future Air Force pilot, they never missed a chance to visit Susan and Jeff at each location they were assigned. When they weren't traveling, Wilbur could be found on the golf course or fishing for crappie. He loved to watch sports and rarely missed a game under the Friday night lights watching the Ardmore Tigers. He was also a loyal fan of the Texas Rangers and the Georgia Bulldogs. Wilbur was an enthusiastic and devoted grandfather to two grandsons. When they were small, he'd give them piggyback rides whenever they asked and could be often found wrestling with them on the ground or shooting hoops in the driveway. Their favorite was when he would take them for donuts on Saturday morning. Wilbur enjoyed sharing his hobbies with his grandsons. As they grew up, he taught them how to golf and drive the cart and would take them fishing. They shared his love of sports and they all loved to watch football together. Both grandsons played hockey for many years, and even though Wilbur didn't know a lot about hockey, he was always the loudest fan in the crowd! Wilbur spent this past year living in Fargo, North Dakota near his oldest grandson and his two great-grandchildren and loved having them over to visit on the weekends, joining them for dinners, or when they would pop in just to say hi. He would sit with them for hours and play games and teach them to do puzzles. He was a wonderful Poppa. Wilbur was known for his generous heart, quick sense of humor, and genuine spirit. He was welcoming and interested in everyone he met. He loved his family dearly and took interest in everything they did. He was a lifelong student. Wilbur was always up for anything ("Whatever y'all want to do sounds good to me!) and just wanted to spend his time with the people he loved. He was a kind, gentle soul.

Wilbur was preceded in death by his parents Mattie L. Keene and Wilber Z; his loving wife Sue; his two siblings Donald (Ethelene) Whittle and Jeri Odom; and his second wife Benna Rae Holt.

He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Jeff of Fairbanks, Alaska; grandsons Phillip (Hilary) of Fargo and Joshua of Fairbanks; great-grandchildren Harper and Bodie; brother-in-law Leon Odom; nieces Donna (John) Mast, Dana Odom, Dr. Angharad Young, and Lisa (Rick) Kiefer; nephew Bob (Pam) Bransford, and many great-nieces and great-nephews. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, October 13 at First Baptist Church, Ardmore with Dr. Alton Fannin officiating.

Interment will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff and nurses at Sheyenne Crossings and Ethos Hospice for the excellent care Wilbur received during his final days.

Online guest book: http://www.craddockfuneralhome.com