Wilbur Edward Hufford

Wilbur Edward Hufford, 93, passed away Sunday, March 24, 2024, peacefully. He was born in Wichita Kansas on December 3,1930 to Roy Dewey Hufford and Pearl Jessie Hufford (Coon). Wilbur graduated from Wichita High School North in the winter semester of 1948 and began his Masonry apprenticeship with the Bricklayers’ Masons’ Plasterers’ International Union of America. However, Wilbur was drafted by the US Army for the Korean War in June 1952 and served in theatre until February 1954. He received the Korean Service medal with two Bronze Service Stars, a United Nations Service Medal, a National Defense Service Medal, a Combat Infantry Badge, and a Good Conduct Medal. He remained in the ready reserve until 1960 when he was Honorably Discharged as a Technical Sergeant. Once home, he was able to complete his Bricklayers’ apprenticeship on March 15,1955 and worked as a bricklayer in Wichita and surrounding areas until 1973. There are still multiple brick buildings in Wichita and Atchison, Kansas that he helped construct. Wilbur moved to Kansas City, Missouri and began working for a shopping center corporation as a Maintenance Consultant for building renovations and construction until 1985. He then transitioned to the City of Kansas City as a Dangerous Buildings Inspector until he retired in 1993. Wilbur’s children remember him as a kind, gentle, caring father who would help anyone in need and encouraged them to pursue their goals. Wilbur was a life member of the VFW Post 4043 and until he was unable to drive himself would go daily to have coffee with fellow retirees and friends at the local Waffle House.

Wilbur was preceded in death by his parents, Roy Dewey and Pearl Jessie Hufford, spouse Frances Hufford and brother, Donald Hufford and sister-in-law, Bobbye Hufford.

Additional survivors include eight living children/stepchildren namely, Karen Hufford, Shirley Williams, Sheila Zepfel (John), Gregory Gass, Betty Stevenson, Roberta Clark, Brenda Stevenson and Ramona Wheeler. He also has many grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great, great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be sent to VFW Post 4043, Liberty MO; Paralyzed Veterans or Boys Town of Missouri.

The family would like to thank the caregivers and hospital staff of North Kansas City Hospice and Hospital.