C. Wilbert Page

C. Wilbert Page, 88, of Christiansburg, Va., went to his heavenly home on Saturday, September, 19, 2009. He was the son of late, C. Frank Page Sr. and Lottie Gatewood Butt Page. He was also preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Merlene Andersn Page; his daughter, Janice Page-Brewster; his twin brother, J. Wilton Page; and his sister, Leora Page Bowman. Wilbert graduated from Christiansburg High School in 1938 and enlisted in the Army Air Force at the time of World War II. He was stationed in England as part of the 8th Airforce. On March 16, 1944 during a mission over Augsburg, Germany, the aircraft he was in took a direct hit and he was taken prisoner of war. Wilbert was the only one on board who was seriously injured and struggled throughout his entire life with that wound. He would eventually loose that leg 60 years later in 2004. Until his death on Saturday, Wilbert was the last survivor of that mission. He was awarded the Purple Heart by Jimmy Doolittle himself. When Wilbert returned to Christiansburg, he resumed working with his two brothers at Angles Grocery. All three were meat cutters as was their father. Wilbert also followed in his father's footsteps and served on the Christiansburg Town Council for 22 years and the Planning Commission for 15 years. He was a member of the American Legion, Lions Club and the VFW. Wilbert was a life long member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church. He was a faithful member and served many positions there when needed. Wilbert, Merlene and Janice have finished their earthly work and are now together again with their Lord and Savior, never again to be separated.
Wilbert is survived by his brother and sister-in-law, C. Frank Page and Betty Page and their daughter, Martha Page Sykes, of Christiansburg; his nephew and family, Derek and Jamie Page and their daughter, London Murphy Page, of Lawrenceville, Ga.; sisters-in-law, Bula Shelbourne, of Richmond, Va., Mary Ruth Cruce, of Christiansburg, Va., Blanch Workman, of Virginia Beach, Va., Margie Boschert, of Linthicum Heights, Md., Barbara Anderson, Richmond, Va. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, September 23, 2009, with visitation one hour prior to service at St. Paul's United Methodist Church. Memorial contributions may be made to the Christiansburg Life Saving Crew, PO Box 176, Christiansburg, Virginia 24073-0176. The Page family is being served by Horne Funeral Service. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.hornefuneralservice.com.