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BORN
1939
DIED
2025
FUNERAL HOME
702 Riverside Drive
Asheville, North Carolina
Donald Wilburn Obituary
May 14, 1939 - April 19, 2025
Stallings, North Carolina - "Donald William Wilburn, 85, of Stallings, NC, passed away peacefully Saturday, April 19, 2025 at the CarePartners Solace Center in Asheville, NC. A beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend, Don now begins a new chapter in life. He has not gone, but simply gone ahead.
Surviving Don is his loving wife of 68 years, Betty Billings Wilburn; daughters, Terri Donna Wilburn, Sharon Wilburn Faassen (Charly); sister, Tammy Warr (Jimmy); grandsons, Warren Faassen (Jamil), Cooper Faassen (Melissa), Charles Faassen (Bridget); and great-grandchildren Charlotte, Camryn, Reagan and Cayden.
Don was born on May 14, 1939, in Union, South Carolina. He was a visionary entrepreneur who founded three successful businesses. Don opened Wilburn Auto Body Shop in 1975 and later brought his passion for adventure to life by opening Carolina Adventure World in 2007. He dedicated his life to building with vision and unwavering perseverance and was deeply committed to personal growthconstantly studying, learning, and striving to improve. Don served as an inspiration to many, always eager to sit and talk, sharing wisdom about life, forgiveness, and love. Spending time with his grandsons and great-grandchildren brought him immense joy. He deeply loved his family and carried a gentle kindness for everyone he met. Don embraced each day with humor, resilience, and a steadfast heart. He valued his friends greatly and found great fulfillment and joy in his most recent projects in the mountains of Weaverville, North Carolina.
A celebration of life will be held May 17, 2025 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Emerald Lake Golf Club, 9750 Tournment Dr. Matthews, NC 28104. A time of reflection & remembrance will be from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Following, we invite you for light appetizers and conversation.
May the love, strength, and legacy of Don always live on in our hearts."
In Lieu of flowers, donate to you favorite charity or donate a tree in his memory.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Donald Wilburn
Sponsored by The Charlotte Observer.
4 Entries
Jackie Campbell
May 8, 2025
Don was an amazing man. He was so calm, gentle, insightful, smart, and had so much wisdom. I had many great conversations with him when he would stop by New World to check in on his way home. I had the pleasure of working for him and Betty for 9 years at their storage facility and then moved on to work for the body shop for another 9. He was so kind to anyone he knew or met as is his entire family. He was a great role model for so many. He will be greatly missed. Prayers and love for his family and friends.
Kim McDaniel
May 6, 2025
Don Wilburn was a gentleman with a big heart . I will always be grateful for the opportunity he gave me. If I needed help he was there to help . My heart goes out for his family . Don was one in a million .
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Asheville Area Alternative Funeral & Cremation Services - Asheville702 Riverside Drive, Asheville, NC 28801
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