W.L. (Bud) Barber

W.L. (Bud) Barber
 
     Winburn Lee Barber of the Greenwood Community passed from this life on Thursday, July 24, 2014. He was born and died in a Parker County farm house – 100 years four months and 15 days apart.
     W.L. was born on March 9, 1914 during the first administration of Woodrow Wilson – four months before the outbreak of World War I. He lived in Parker County all his life except for the time spent in Europe during World War II.  W.L.  was a Staff Sergeant in the 80th Infantry (Blue Ridge) Division in General George S. Patton’s 3rd Army – across France and Germany – with a small detour through the Ardennes Forest of Belgium and Luxembourg.
     He was married to Myrle Wilkins of Poolville on December 27, 1941 and enjoyed 38 years of married life before her death in January 1980.
     W.L. graduated from Weatherford High School class of 1931, Weatherford College, and Texas A&M class of 1946. He was an educator who taught at Greenwood School during the 1930’s, was director of the Parker County Vocational School (for returning WWII veterans), and taught vocational agriculture (FFA) for twenty years at Weatherford High School where he retired in 1975.
     W.L. was a member of South Main St. Church of Christ in Weatherford where he faithfully served as an elder for 26 years.
     W.L. was preceded in death by his parents Winburn and Mary Goodson Barber, his brothers Bert, Henry, Harry and a sister Marzelle.
     He is survived by his sons, Gerald Lee Barber and wife, Linda of Santa Fe, New Mexico and James Stanley Barber of Weatherford, also sister, Mayme Ruth Heartsill of Weatherford. Twin brothers Joe Ralph Barber and wife Mickey of Cedar Park, Texas and James Ray Barber and wife Barbara of Longview, Rev. Billy Truett Barber and wife Pat of Hendersonville, Tenn., grandson, U.S. Army Captain Cooper Barber and granddaughter Kaela Barber of Los Alamos, New Mexico, sister-in-law Melba Puryear of Weatherford and numerous nephews, nieces and other relatives survive.
  
     The family wishes to thank Dr. James K. Roland and Dr. Guduru Reddy and their staffs for years of expert care. Also the nurses and staff of Integracare for their years of care and in the final weeks Intergracare Hospice for their help and support in every way.



  Funeral service will be held at Galbreaith Pickard Funeral Chapel on Monday, July 28, 2014 at 10:00 a.m.  Interment will follow in the Greenwood Community cemetery. Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Sunday at Galbreaith Pickard.
     Memorials: In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made to the charity or association of your choice.