Wilburn Herbert Potter, 95, went to be with his Lord on May 18, 2018 in Colorado Springs. He was born July 25, 1922, in Toledo, Ohio. The family, father Ralph, mother Myrtle and brother Woodrow moved to Boulder, Colorado. He graduated from Boulder High School in 1941.
Will learned of the attack on Pearl Harbor while working as a soda jerk at the Alba Dairy Creamy. He enlisted in the US Navy and was assigned to the destroyer, USS Abner Read.
Following V-J Day, Will returned to Colorado, attend 2 years of art school and became a commercial artist for the Alexander Film Company in Colorado Springs. During this time, he met Jane Aitken on a blind date. Will was recalled for the Korean War and served aboard the USS Warrick, an Andromeda-class attack cargo ship. While on a 7-day leave, Will married Jane in the First Methodist Church (now First United Methodist Church, FUMC) in Colorado Springs on May 13, 1951 and honeymooned in Juarez, Mexico. Will received an Honorable Discharge from the Navy, returned to Colorado Springs, and began a 30-year civil service career with NORAD.
Will and Jane had three children, Peggy, Doug and Chuck. The family traveled in trailers and motorhomes, camping in 47 states. Will was a Boy Scout of America scoutmaster and completed a 50-mile hiking trek at Philmont Scout Ranch. At FUMC, Will was active in Methodist Men, an usher and a tenor in the Chancel Choir. Will and Jane made Christian mission trips to Novograd, Russia with FUMC and to Juarez, Mexico with “Youth With A Mission.”
During his retirement, Will and Jane traveled around the world visiting many Asian and European countries. In their motor home, Will and Jane traveled extensively throughout North America.
Will is survived by his children Margaret Potter Iwagoshi, Douglas Potter and Charles Potter, seven grandchildren, Joel Iwagoshi, Aaron Iwagoshi, Elizabeth Potter, Emily Potter, Jay Fricke, Bradley Potter and Stuart Potter, three great-grandchildren Elliott Iwagoshi, August Iwagoshi, and Willow Gallegos-Potter, and three nephews Ronald Potter, Gary Potter and Stephen Potter.
Following today’s service will be a light lunch at Bonforte Park, 2323 N. Wahsatch.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to your local Humane Society.
To contact the family, send an email to [email protected] .
Open the below link to listen to W.H. Potter with the Americhicks on a Sept 8, 2017 radio broadcast.
https://soundcloud.com/the-heart-of-the-matter/heart-of-the-matter-9817wwii-week-wilburn-potter-uss-abner-read-crew-member-constitution-week ;
