William Howard Wilbert

William Howard "Bill" Wilbert, age 86, passed away peacefully on Friday October 13th at 2:30 AM. He had struggled valiantly for over a year with Lewy Body Dementia which he may have contracted after a near fatal case of Covid.
Bill was born on September 28th, 1937, in Spring Lake Heights NJ to Robert and Mary Wilbert. He was the last remaining and youngest child of eight (8) siblings: Mary "Betty", Charles "Charlie", and Sunny Wilbert, and his father's children from his previous marriage Richard (Barbara), Lillian (Babe), Peggy (Ralph), Robert (Kay) and an infant daughter. He graduated from Manasquan High School in NJ in 1956, and initially attended Rutgers University before transferring to Murray State University where he would meet the love of his life, Mildred Sue Wilbert, on September 30, 1960, and elope with on August 21, 1962, after a life changing first date at a bowling alley in Murray, KY. The newlyweds settled in Muhlenberg County with Bill teaching and Sue commuting to Western Kentucky University to complete her Degree in Education. They remained in Muhlenberg County for five (5) years until an opportunity opened for them to both teach at the same high school in North Vernon, IN where they would reside for the next Fifty-Five (55) years. Bill was a Guidance Counselor there in the Jennings County School District from 1967 until his retirement in 2000 where he impacted countless lives with his tireless devotion to others, and left behind many, many friends he worked with for over thirty years.
In addition to his wife of sixty-one years, he is survived by four sons William "Billy" (Danetta), Danny (Christina), David (Laura) and Brian Wilbert; seven grand-children Lyndi (Deshavius), Hannah, Noah, Laney, Samuel, Davis, and Brianna; one great-grandson Bravery; one sister in love Judy Gallimore; four nieces and nephews Julie, James "Jimmy", Matthew, and Ashley; one great niece Abigail "Abbey", and his beloved rescued Australian Shephard, Daphne, who was last remaining pet from a long list of beloved dogs and cats.
Bill and Sue spent countless days at North Vernon Park where all four sons played baseball. He also served as a coach for many years as well investing into the young lives of so many in Jennings County with his passion for baseball and sharing his enthusiasm for his favorite baseball team the St. Louis Cardinals. Bill was also a lifelong fan of the Kentucky Wildcats Basketball Team. An avid reader, Bill would read on average a book a week, with many being romance novels that he attributed to the success of sixty-one years of marriage. Bill and Sue were able to travel to Europe, loved concerts and attending the theater, and were overjoyed to be able to go to Hawaii as a 60th Wedding Anniversary gift.
After moving to Hermitage, TN in 2018, Bill became an active member of Grace Place Church of God. His near fatal experience with Covid brought his closer to God, and he endured his final illness with grace and dignity. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, who in the words of his son "was always there". His family was precious to him, and he loved spending time with them every opportunity he had. He was truly a life well lived and will be missed by all.
Service Arrangements:
Visitation: Wednesday October 18th 10:00-12:30 CST
Location: Grace Place Church of God 4316 Central Pike Hermitage, TN 37076
Service: Wednesday October 18th 1:00 CST Rev. Tommy Dove Officiating
Donations may be made in lieu of flowers in Memory of William Howard Wilbert to one of charities listed below:
Little League of North Vernon Registration Assistance Fund PO Box 844 North Vernon, IN 47265:
Mercy Rescue of North Vernon PO Box 537 North Vernon, IN 47265;
Grace Place C/O Room at the Inn 4316 Central Pike Hermitage, TN 37076
Kentucky World Missions Department 6624 S. Preston Hwy Lebanon Jct, KY 40150