Wilbur Whitley Jr.

Wilbur Whitley Jr., age 84, passed away July 9, 2023 at E.T. York Hospice Care Center in Gainesville, FL. Wilbur was born in Tampa, FL to Wilbur Whitley Sr. and Lula Locke Whitley on June 23, 1939. He was raised in Tampa, FL until the age of 17 when he joined the Air Force on March 24, 1958. He retired from the Air Force in 1978 after 20 years of service. On December 19, 1959, he married the love of his life, Flora Jean Whitley. Wilbur and Jean were married for 60 years. Wilbur was an honest and noble man, but above all, he was a family man. His wife, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren meant more to him than life itself.

He is preceded in death by his wife Flora “Jean”Whitley, his parents Wilbur Whitley Sr. and Lula Locke Whitley, his brothers, Buck and John, sisters, Helen, Charolette, and Gladys, and his granddaughter Jennifer “Jenny” Skye Sanders.

Wilbur is survived by his brother, Rodney (Diane) Whitley, four children, Tammy (Mike) Sanders, Shane Whitley, Katie Sundberg, and Troy Whitley, his 11 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.

In Lieu of flowers please donate to Haven Hospice ET York Care Center in Gainesville Florida.

A funeral to honor Wilbur's life will be held on Tuesday, July 11, at 11:00 am at Mt Nebo Baptist Church in Bell, FL. The family will receive friends for a visitation beginning at 10:00 am. He will be laid to rest at Sonshine Cemetery in Bell, FL. following the service. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Watson-Milton Funeral Home, Trenton. 352-463-8888. www.watsonmilton.com