As a youth he attended West Middletown and Amanda schools. He graduated from Monroe High School where his favorite activity was football. In his younger years, he had many jobs including working for a Railroad, a paper mill and a coal company.
For the next 40 years, Wilbur was a certified welder at Armco/AK Steel (now Cleveland Cliffs). But he was a man of many talents and could fix anything from equipment, motors, vehicles, household items and often his daughter’s toys. He taught all of these skills to others. He was known to many by his various hobbies including playing his harmonica, telling jokes and then more jokes, and writing and reciting his poetry. These talents always impressed his daughters’ friends and all who listened.
He was famous for his skills as an outdoorsman. He and his beagles were known to many. As both an avid hunter and fisherman, he harvested trophy game and fish in Ohio and across the USA, but Rocky Fork Lake was his home away from home. He took pride in sharing his harvest with friends and family whom he also educated on the best equipment to use and harvest techniques. He instilled his passion for the great out-of-doors into his children, grandchildren and all he met.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife, Connie (Keller) King; daughter, Christi Gibson; sisters, Louella Carter, Nellie Nickell; and good friend, Bertha Roosa.
Wilbur is survived by his daughters, Robyn (Bob) Hufziger, Heidi (Karl) Devine, Shannon (Randy Kemp) Hackett, April (Chris) Caddell; grandchildren, Shani Giannico, Sara (Jason) Smith, Ben (Elizabeth) Devine, Daniel (friend, Amanda Bower) Devine, Kelly (fiancé, Phillip Loving) Devine, Corey Hackett, Logan (Kyla Canup) Hackett, Shelby (Jasmine) Caddell, Henry Caddell, Casey Caddell, Carter Caddell; great grandchildren, Kayla and Kassidy Smith, Bridget, Molly and Colin Devine, Torrin and Declan Hackett, Jacob and Haizyl Hackett and Violet Caddell.
Visitation will be 5-8 PM, on Thursday, September 10, 2026 at Breitenbach Anderson Funeral Home, 517 South Sutphin Street, Middletown, OH 45044. Visitation also on Friday, September 11, 2026 from 11-12:30 PM at the funeral home. A Funeral Service will follow at 12:30 PM with Dr. Dan Flory officiating. Burial will be at Butler County Memorial Park.
