Wilburn D. Smith

March 3, 1946 - November 26, 2020

Wilburn D. Smith of Farmington, died Thursday, November 26, 2020 at OSF Hospice Home. He was born to Wilburn Smith and Garnet Forsyth Smith on March 3, 1946 in Peoria. He married Nancy Walker and later married Connie Smith. He is survived by his wife Connie and his friend, Nancy. He loved his five children, Roberta (Ronald “Punch”) Dean of Creve Coeur, K. Aaron (Moriki) Smith of Gridley, Heidi (Tim) Dowell of East Peoria, Allison (Alex) Smith of Bellevue, and Clayton Smith of Farmington. He adored his five grandchildren, Bailey Dean of Saint Louis, Haley, Paris, and Trey Dowell of East Peoria, and Arya Smith of Bellevue, and his 5 great grandchildren. He is also survived by one sister, Garnet Kerr, and two brothers, Daryl (Pat) Smith, and David (Rose) Smith, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and 4 brothers and one sister. Wilburn served in the Navy as an electronics technician. He then worked for 33 years as an electrician at Caterpillar. He was an accomplished woodworker and loved building things. He thought there was only one way to do a job—the Wilburn way. He loved to travel and enjoyed taking his children along. He loved all types of music and was a collector of vinyl albums. He loved animals and never met a dog that didn’t love him. He loved eating out and his favorite meal was the #1 combo at Hardees. His favorite morning pastime was having breakfast with his friend of over 20 years, John Robbins. He was able to early vote and was so proud to be part of voting Trump out of office. Wilburn loved and was loved by his family. If you met him once, odds are you would never forget him. Cremation rites have been accorded. Due to COVID-19, a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to Book Bag Buddy Program to provide meals for children at Cuba Elementary, P.O. box 80, Cuba, Il 61427, or to St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Schmidt-Haller Burial and Cremation Services is assisting the family. Online condolences may be made at www.schmidthaller.com