05/07/2025
William Glenn Wilburn, 75, of Center, Texas, passed away on May 1, 2025, surrounded by his family, at Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston, Texas.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, May 10, 2025, at 10:00 am with a service following at 11:00 am at Mangum Funeral Home in Center, Texas with Bro. Harold Hanson and Bro. Josh Sanford officiating. Interment will follow at Oaklawn Memorial Cemetery in Center, Texas following the service.
Glenn was born on December 16, 1949, in San Augustine, Texas to Clayton Wilburn and Lois Carpenter. He grew up in the San Augustine Community and graduated San Augustine High School Class of 1968. Shortly after graduation, he enlisted in the army to serve his country in the Vietnam War from 1969 until 1971. During this time not only did he fight for his country, but he also served as the local barber for his unit. If you needed a haircut, Glenn was your man! He also owned a pet monkey during his time in Vietnam that he loved dearly.
Upon his return, he joined his brother, Jerry, in Silsbee, Texas to go work for the Atchinson, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railroad company where they became locomotive engineers. Glenn’s career with the railroad took him and his family to many different cities including Silsbee, Orange, Longview, San Augustine, and Center, Texas where they eventually settled down. He loved working for the railroad and retired after 42 years of service.
After his time serving in the war and starting work at the railroad he married his wife, Peggy Fox in 1972. They welcomed their first son, Jason, in 1976, and four years later their second son, Sean. After 25 years of marriage, Peggy passed away in 1997. Glenn remarried in 1999, to his second wife Kathy Eaves with whom he celebrated 25 years of marriage.
After retiring from the railroad Glenn looked forward to this new chapter of his life. He had more time for the things that he loved: Spending time with family and friends, fishing, hunting, cooking, watching football, and gardening. He loved deer season and never missed opening day! (He always knew he was going to get the biggest buck.) He loved to fish with his best friend, Joe, his son, Jason, and his grandchildren, Holly and Lance. He loved trot lining, taking the boat out on the lake, and rod and reel fishing. After each catch, he cooked for everyone he knew. Glenn was known for frying some of the best fish ever!
He was a big Dallas Cowboy fan and rarely missed a game. He was disappointed during losing seasons, but never gave up on them. He was a huge fan of watching his grandson, Lance, play football. He was so proud watching him break school records. He hardly ever missed a game.
Glenn always had a love for classic cars and was a member of the Shelby County Cruisers. He had a 1932 Ford Coupe that he and his son, Jason rebuilt. He traded in the Ford for a 1955 Chevrolet BelAir. He shared his love for classic cars with his son and his two grandchildren and would go to car shows and compete. His childhood friend, Stanley Jackson, said he “was a Ford man, but Glenn was a Chevy man.”
Glenn was always willing to help those in need: He would give the shirt off his back if he knew you needed it. He was such a great, sweet, and Christian man. To know him was to love him, and he was loved by many.
Glenn is survived by:
Wife, Kathy Wilburn - Center
Children:
Jason Wilburn and wife, Wendy Wilburn - Center
Sean Wilburn - Lewisville, TX
Step-Children:
Misty Fagan and Husband, Brandon Fagan - Austin, TX
Kris Eaves - Center
Grandchildren:
Holly Wilburn - Center
Lance Wilburn - Center
Patrick Fagan - Austin, TX
Jake Fagan - Austin, TX
Madelyn Eaves - Center
Chloe Eaves Whittlesey and husband, Dylan Whittlesey - Center
Great-Granddaughter, Jovie Hudspeth - Center
Sister, Louise Bennefield - San Augustine
Sister-in-Law, Beulah Wilburn - Silsbee, TX
A host of cousins, nieces and nephews.
Special Friends, Joe and Jackie Yarborough - Center
He is preceded in death by his parents Clayton and Lois Wilburn, first wife, Peggy Fox Wilburn, and brother Jerry Wilburn.
Pallbearers will include Lance Wilburn, Mac Wheeler, Joe Yarbrough, Kris Eaves, Patrick Fagan, Jake Fagan, Clayton Bennefield, and Brother Don Nobles.
Honorary Pallbearers include members of the Lone Star Baptist Church Men’s Sunday School Class, and Stanley Jackson.
To send condolences or to sign an online register, please visit www.mangumfh.net. Mangum Funeral Home, Center, is in charge of arrangements.
