Wilbur Harry "Bill" Woleben

Wilbur Harry "Bill" Woleben was born January 12, 1923 in Illiopolis, Illinois, and went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on January 14, 2012 in Austin, Texas, at the age of 89. Bill loved his Lord and the Word of God, having studied it and taught it to all ages over his lifetime. Those in his family were the greatest beneficiaries of his godly wisdom.

Bill moved with his family to Gulfport, Mississippi as a child where he did well in school, played tuba in the band, excelled in sports, and learned to fish with his Dad and his brother. Having a home facing the Gulf, not only did the family enjoy bright sunny days on the beach and watching the moon shine on the water in the evenings, but also evaded several coastal hurricanes by God's grace. After graduating Gulfport High School, Bill attended Mississippi State University where he pursued a Bachelors of Science degree in Civil Engineering and played in the marching band. His education was interrupted by World War II in which he proudly served in the US Army Signal Corp. He was kept in the states when the army realized he was one of five who remained with his specialty in communications.

When the war ended, he completed his degree and took a job with Chicago Bridge and Iron Company. He worked in Chicago and Birmingham but later settled in Houston where he met the love of his life, Patricia. They met on the steps of Second Baptist Church, married July 19, 1952, and faithfully served Christ throughout their marriage of nearly 59 years. They had life-long friends from their early days at Second Baptist, their later days at Bethel Independent Presbyterian Church, New Orleans Bible Church, and Hyde Park Baptist Church. Bill's job took them to New Orleans from Houston and then retirement brought them to Austin where their children, and later their grandchildren, lived.

Bill had the demeanor of a Southern gentleman, and all who met him enjoyed his company and conversation. He was a kind but firm father, training his children in the wisdom and admonition of the Lord. He loved his grandchildren too, welcoming three new boys into his life just eight months ago. He was a man of godly grace and taught his children to do everything as unto the Lord, to put the Lord first and seek Him daily, and to take joy in humbly considering others better than yourself (Philippians 2). He was selfless in his care of his wife and family, caring for Patricia until she went to be with her Lord.

Bill was predeceased by his wife, Patricia Soulé Woleben, his father, Wilbur Townsend Woleben, and his mother, Ernestine Woleben. He is survived by his brother, William Dean Woleben and wife, Stephanie of Virginia, son Wilbur H. (Bill) Woleben, II and wife Jamie, daughter Elizabeth (Libby) Woleben Griffin and husband Owen, and five grandchildren: Carpenter and Amanda Griffin, and Nicholas, Julian, and Damien Woleben, all of Austin; several nieces and nephews, and other extended family whom he loved.

Graveside service and burial will be at Hollywood Cemetery in Houston, Texas, on Friday, January 20 at 1:00 p.m. A memorial service will be held at Hyde Park Baptist Church in Austin on Friday, January 27 at 11:00 a.m.

The family wishes to thank his caregivers at Colonial Gardens, and Grace Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to The Gideon's International, the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, or Camp Peniel (Marble Falls).