Wilburn E. Ford

Wilburn E. Ford, 98, of Plano, Texas, passed away, Sunday, September 30, 2012.

He was born on April 23, 1914 to Loyd and Ila Jane (King) Ford in Springfield, MO. In 1932 Wilburn graduated from Benton High School, St. Joseph, Mo.

On August 30, 1941 he was united in marriage to Helen Gray. After their marriage they lived in Washington, D.C., Kansas City, Chicago, Illinois, Omaha, Nebraska and St. Paul, Minnesota. In 1980 they moved to St. Joseph and in 1999 to Plano, Texas. Helen passed away on July 30, 2008.

He worked for Esso in Washington, D.C. and retired in 1977 from Armour and Company after 37 years, working in Kansas City, KS, Chicago, IL, Omaha, NE and St. Paul, MN.

Wilburn was a former member of the Fairview Christian Church in Gladstone were he served as a deacon, elder, junior choir director and chorus instructor. He was currently a member of the Gower Christian Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and infant sister, Thelma Ford, sister, Louise Lynch, his mother and father-in-law, Norman and Grace (Walkup) Gray and sister-in-law, Glena Schulte.

Wilburn is survived by his daughter, Paula Karen (Ford) Hanson and husband, Clint, of Plano, Texas; grandsons, Brett Hanson and wife Pam, Justin Hanson and wife, Mandi and Kris Hanson and wife, Holly, step grandson Eric and wife, Mollie, two great-grandsons and six great-granddaughters.

Graveside Service and Interment will be held at a later date.

Donations: Gower Christian Church Building Fund.

Arrangements: Hixson-Klein Funeral Home, Gower, Mo.