1918
2018
Wilbert Aaron Wycliff
1918-2018
Wilbert Aaron Wycliff, devoted husband and father, soldier, educator and counselor, died Friday, January 5, 2018 at his daughter's home in Port Allen, LA. He was 99 years old.
Mr. Wycliff was born in Dayton, TX, on October 30, 1918, the son of a blacksmith and a schoolteacher and a descendant of some of Liberty County's earliest settlers. In 1942, Mr. Wycliff married Emily Broussard Wycliff, also a Dayton native, and together they reared nine children. Their marriage lasted 71 years, until Mrs. Wycliff's death in 2013.
Mr. Wycliff served in the U.S. Army from 1941-1978, including both active duty and reserve service, retiring at the rank of major. He served in Italy during World War II as a member of the 92nd Division, the legendary Buffalo Division in the still-segregated Army of that time, and earned the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign medal with three Bronze Stars. After the war he earned his bachelor's degree from the Texas State University for Negroes (now Texas Southern University). From 1954-1978, he worked as an instructor and administrator in the federal prison system which took his family to Ashland, KY, Denver, CO, Terre Haute, IN, Washington, D.C., Texarkana, TX, and Dallas, TX. He also taught at the high school and elementary levels before he and Emily retired to Dayton in 1981.
Mr. Wycliff was a deacon in the Catholic Church, working in parishes in Dallas, Houston, and Dayton, as well as ministering to inmates in the prison system. He also was a longtime member of the Knights of Columbus, the Liberty County Historical Commission, and a member of the Colbert-Rosenwald Corporation in Dayton.
Mr. Wycliff was preceded in death by his wife and by his oldest son, Francois, who died in 2010. He is survived by his five daughters, Karen Wycliff Robinson of Port Allen, LA; Ida Wycliff of Los Angeles, CA; Joy (William) Warren of Fort Worth, TX; Judith (Paul) Geller of Marina del Rey, CA; and Jean Wycliff of Houston, TX; three sons, Don (Pamela) Wycliff of South Bend, IN; Christopher (Patricia) Wycliff of Houston, TX; and Brian (Patricia) Wycliff of Houston, TX; also by 26 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.
A mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 10 a.m., Saturday, January 20 at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church in Dayton. The rosary will be recited at 9:30 a.m., before mass. Burial will be at Our Mother of Mercy Catholic Cemetery in Ames immediately following the mass.
The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Sterling Funeral Home - Dayton.
We are so honored to have known Mr. Wycliff and had him as a guest of honor at our school Veterans Day program for two years. His legacy will live on through his beautiful family.
Chamberlin Elementary Faculty and Staff
Elizabeth Sarradet
January 20, 2018
Michele Dunn-Poyer
January 18, 2018
To the Family, remembering Karen and Ida back in 1967, they would visit our great Aunt Mrs Ada Day in Dayton, Tx and the kind and gracious spirit of these two were very evident...came from an Awesome set of Parents. We rejoice for a well-lived life of Mr Wilbert. GOD blessed him with longevity and his family and the community benefited from his life. God bless this family...Rest-in-Peace Mr. Wilbert.
Joycelyn Thornton Battles
January 15, 2018
Jean, I am so sorry about the loss of your father. My prayers are with you and your family.
Geraldine Westbrooks
January 14, 2018
I am so sorry for your great loss. May the God who "binds up the brokenhearted," and "comforts all who mourn," sustain your family during this challenging time. Isaiah 61: 1, 2 With heartfelt sympathy.
January 14, 2018
MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. MAY GOD BLESS YOU
mr mrs kirby GUERIN
January 13, 2018
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a long beautiful life well lived.
Rita Houston
January 12, 2018
What a full and blessed life you lived, Mr. Wycliff, and you lived it well. Now you will join the Father and hear him say, Well done, my good and faithful servant.
Margo Walker
January 11, 2018
Showing 1 - 8 of 8 results
Please consider a donation as requested by the family.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read moreWhat kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read moreWe'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreIf you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read moreLegacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreThey're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read more