James Byron Wilbur August 1, 1945 - January 1, 2019

James Byron Wilbur, 73, of Spanish Fork, Utah returned home to his Heavenly Father on January 1, 2019.  He is survived by his loving wife, Peggy Wilbur, his children, David Wilbur, Rachel Wilbur, Sanda (David), and Rebekah Wilbur.  He is also survived by Peggy’s children, Jerome Wernig, Cameron Wernig, and Heidi Wernig Jensen (Jaron).  He was a loving father to all of their children, and their grandchildren.  In heaven he joins many relatives including his daughter, Leah Wilbur, who died in infancy, his father and mother, Elvin and Loulia Wilbur, and all his siblings.

After graduation from Napa High School and ROTC in 1963, he joined the United States Navy and served in exotic locations as a Seebee, including Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and Antarctica where he learned surveying in 40 degrees below zero temperatures.  His eyes lit up when he talked about his naval service, his patriotism was true, true red, white, and blue!  Right after discharge, at the age of 25, he was called to serve a mission to the Central States Mission for the LDS Church-the same mission as his grandfather approx. 60 years later.  He received a Bachelor’s degree in geography from CSU, Fresno, and worked as an urban planner for several cities including Anderson and Torrence, CA.   He was also the Senior City Planner for Orem City for 10 years.  He had several other careers in business consulting as well as real estate.  His work ethic was like no other.  He held more than one job for most of his life, right up to the end. He worked at Macey’s for 18 years and loved the many friends made there.  His humility, patience, and love for helping others led him to his final career working directly with and enriching the lives of individuals with special needs.  These special spirits will miss his gentle personality, greatly.

True to his nature, he was very involved in his community through his work with KIWANIS, Key Club and various charitable causes such as Kids on the Move where he was instrumental in securing their organization a permanent home.  He readily accepted and happily served in whatever capacity within the church.  He was currently serving as a church service missionary with LDS Family Services in the 12 Step program.

Always with a book in his hand, he could intelligently converse with any person he met.  His favorite books to read were LDS Church books, both fiction and non-fiction, and anything by C.S. Lewis.  This love of reading grew and kept his testimony of our Heavenly Father and our Savior Jesus Christ unshakeable.  He loved the scriptures and was so looking forward to doing the new program of gospel centered teaching in the home.  Proud of his heritage, and his deep love for family, genealogy and family history was more than a favorite past time, it was a duty he proudly engaged in constantly.  He was a quiet, gentle, loving man, who could get unabashedly passionate at sporting events.  His 73 years of life were solid with goodness, what a privilege to have been on the journey with him!  The work in heaven has truly been strengthened.

Funeral services will be held Monday, January 7, 2019 at 12:00 p.m. at the Spanish Fork Escalante Ward Chapel, 99 North 920 West, Spanish Fork, Utah.  Family and friends may visit on Sunday evening January 6, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Walker Funeral Home, 187 S. Main Street, Spanish Fork, and on Monday morning at the church from 10:45-11:45 a.m. prior to the service.  Interment will be in the Spanish Fork City Cemetery.