William A. Wilbur

1917 - 2013

William A. Wilbur
Oct. 5, 1917 - Jan. 26, 2013
Resident of Cupertino
Born in Albany to John and Christina, Bill grew up in Hayward with siblings Ruth, Edith, John, and Doris. Bill earned a BA and MD('44) from Stanford University, becoming a lifelong Stanford football fan. During WWII he joined the USNR Medical Corps as LTJG, first as physician on the USS John Rodgers in the Pacific, then with Civil Affairs in the Philippines.
He met first wife Pansy after the war, marrying in 1946. They settled in La Canada, CA with daughters Maryla and May. Board certified in Internal Medicine, specializing in Cardiology, his private practice was in Glendale. Bill and Pansy divorced in 1966. After buying his daughters a horse, Bill became an avid rider, joined Rose Bowl Riders and was later President.
Bill met the love of his life Frances through riding horses. They married in 1968 and shared a storybook romance for 38 years. Buying 40 acres in Walker Basin in 1970, they spent weekends riding at Cielo Azul Ranch, holding horsemanship camps and horse trials. In 1977 they moved to 'The Ranch'. Bill fed horses, fixed fences, built jumps, loving ranch life. Family gatherings included trail rides, songs, football, sledding, and work!
In 1995 Bill and Frances moved to Sunny View in Cupertino. After Frances had several strokes, Bill was her devoted caretaker until her death in 2006. He loved family visits and his adopted dog Gracie. Bill is survived by children Margo (Jim), Mary, May (Paul), Katharine, and Geoff; twelve grandchildren and their families; sister-in-law Stella, brother-in-law Allen (Marilyn), nieces, and nephews. Bill was preceded in death by his wife Frances, his parents, his siblings, and stepson Stephen. Private services have been held.