Obituary of Roy Wilbur

Roy Wilbur, extraordinary son, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and uncle, passed away November 24, 2020, at home in Lacey, Washington, at age 79.  He suffered from severe Alzheimer’s Dementia.  Roy was born May 9, 1941, to Roland C. and Gladys A. Wilbur in Spokane, Washington.  He grew up in the Browns Point area of Tacoma, Washington, and lived in the Black Lake area of Olympia, Washington, from 1972 to 2018.

Roy served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1958 to 1962 as an electrician. He was a marine who understood Semper Fi as a way of life, to be faithful and true. After his service, he began working on tug boats at Foss Tugs.  In 1963, he participated in the apprenticeship program at Local 114 of the Iron Workers Union. His brother iron workers respected him as a very strong and principled man as he moved up the ranks from apprentice to journeyman iron welder/worker.  He served as recording secretary for Local Union 114, before retiring at age 55.

Roy was a member of the Native American Flathead Tribe in Polson, Montana.

Roy married Betty L. Santee on May 19, 1973. They enjoyed nearly 50 wonderful years together. They raised six children, Roland, Steven, David, Jon, Jay, and Kim, who all saw their father as their hero, a right standing man ready to help and give solid advice when called upon. Roy had a way of calming the storms of life. He was a man of great integrity to those who knew him and those who just met him. He stood for principles and never wavered. He was greatly admired, an example to follow.

Roy was always readily accepted by others, and made friends of all those he met, developing many true friendships through the years.  Among his interests were gardening, golfing, working out at the gym three to four days a week, and watching boxing.  He especially loved spending time with his grandchildren.

He will be lovingly remembered and dearly missed by his wife, Betty; sons, David Wilbur (Rose), Steven Wilbur, Jay Tanner (Xia), Jon Tanner, and Roland Wilbur (Connie); eight grandchildren; five great grandchildren; sister, Helene Koehler (Bill); and many nieces, nephews, and great nieces/nephews.  He was predeceased by his parents; five sisters; one brother; and stepdaughter, Kimberly Bednarzyk.

A celebration of life will be scheduled when it is safe to gather together.

Memorial donations may be made to any organization doing Alzheimer’s research.

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