Thomas Isaac Willbanks (Seymour)'s Obituary
Tom Willbanks, much-loved father and grandfather, entered into Heaven and was welcomed home by his beloved Pearlee the evening of Monday, December 7, 2015. Tom was surrounded with the love of his family when he peacefully passed away in his Seymour home at the wise age of ninety years, five months and nine days.
The only boy and youngest of five children, he was born Thomas Isaac Willbanks on June 28, 1925, in Odin, Missouri, to Johnny Frank and Maude Adaline (Coday) Willbanks. Tom attended school and spent his youth in Wright County. After his father’s passing at the tender age of seven, his uncle, Charley A. Willbanks, became his father-figure and raised him into adulthood.
In 1944, Tom joined the United States Army for a six-year enlistment where he courageously served his country during World War II. He spent time stationed in Panama and Washington State. Tom was a Purple Heart recipient, awarded the medal after being injured while serving in Italy. He also had the privilege of assisting as an Honor Guard for President Harry S. Truman.
On September 9, 1948, Tom wed Sophia Pearlee Baty, and to this union five sons and two daughters were born. The Willbanks’ made their home and raised their family in Seymour. Tom and Pearlee shared sixty-six wonderful years together before her passing on January 7, of this year.
Tom was a devoted father and Christian, having accepted Christ in his thirties. He was raised Free Will Baptist and eventually became a founding member of the Seymour Free Will Baptist Church. Some of the first gatherings of members of the newly founded church were in the living room of the home of Tom and Pearlee. Worship was later moved to the east side of the square in a storefront setting and finally, land was found and the Seymour Free Will Baptist Church was built. Tom and Cecil Wingo did much of the construction of the church.
Tom worked mostly in farming type industries. He worked as a farm hand, milk truck driver, and he drove turkey and chicken trucks all over the U.S. and Canada. Tom eventually became the main service man for Kin Ballew Hatcheries, and for a time, he and Pearlee ran a chicken hatchery themselves.
Tom loved bowling. He bowled in leagues in Mansfield, Marshfield and Springfield, and in various tournaments throughout Missouri and Oklahoma. He was a passionate St. Louis Cardinals fan who would mute the sound on the TV and listen to Jack Buck on the radio. He was a master gardener, especially with his tomatoes. Tom enjoyed the outdoors and was an avid hunter, especially squirrel and quail. Fishing was a favorite too. He loved mowing and his riding mower. Tom was even up and about mowing his yard this summer.
In addition to his parents, Tom was preceded in death by his wife, Pearlee; his daughter, Martha Meritt, who passed away in November of 2007; and his four sisters, Docia, Mary Jo, Grace and Jean. Tom leaves behind his loving family, son, John Willbanks of Seymour; son, Charley Willbanks and wife Cathy, of Springfield, Missouri; son, Tim Willbanks and wife Tammy, of East Sound, Washington; son, Matthew Willbanks of Seymour; daughter, Ruth Gold and husband Freddie, of Highlandville, Missouri; and son, Rev. Mark Willbanks of Seymour; eleven grandchildren, Michelle, Tasha, Jennifer, Callen, Aaron, Isaac, Seth, Emily, Alison, Mallory and Chloe; seven great-grandchildren, Caroline, Ashley, Andrew, Hunter, Owen, Robbie and Ellianna; and one great-great-grandchild, Autumn; son-in-law, David Meritt of Mount Vernon, Washington; a host of nieces, nephews and extended family; and many more dear friends and neighbors. As with Mom, our loss is Heaven’s gain. We take comfort in knowing Dad and Mom are in Heaven, together again, and one glorious day we shall see them too.
Memorials may be made to "The Kitchen" Homeless Shelter and left at the funeral home.
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