Wilbur Wilson

Wilbur passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 27th, 2021 at UnityPoint Hospice - Taylor House from complications of a stroke surrounded by his loving wife, son and daughter.

Wilbur was a beloved husband, father, son, grandfather and father-in-law. He is survived by his mother, Shirley Caster; wife, Diane (Moon) Wilson; children, Jason (Melissa) Wilson, Lisa (Steven) Sharp; grandsons, Charles Wilson, Hudson Sharp, Quinn Wilson and Jack Wilson. He is preceded in death by his step-father, Jerry Caster; brothers-in-law, Jeffrey Moon and John Moon; and by his many beloved dogs, Frisky, Duffy, Muffy, Wren, Chick & Chewy.

Wilbur was born on May 26th, 1955 in Des Moines, Iowa to Shirley Wilson. He graduated from North High School and married his high school sweetheart Diane Marie Moon, on May 31st, 1974. Wilbur began his lifelong career with Firestone Tire and Rubber Company in 1973 and was a very proud union member of the United Rubber Workers and United Steelworkers. He retired in 2005 with 32 years of service.

Wilbur’s biggest impact was within the Union and Labor Communities. He was President of the Local 310 Retiree Group, a USWA Union organizer from 1994 to 2005, and he was proud to bring joy to children by being Santa Claus at the Local 310 Christmas parties.
Politics was another arena that energized him. He spent countless hours canvassing, knocking on doors, staffing phone banks and talking with anyone he could about the candidates he believed in most. He encouraged everyone to vote and be involved with national, state and local elections. In 2000, Wilbur was one of the Iowa state delegates to the Democratic National Convention.

He was an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting, fishing, gardening, mushroom hunting and stargazing. Wilbur’s pride and joy was the area he developed into the duck marsh. His environment and conservation efforts lead to the construction of ponds, as well as prairie and wildlife areas. He loved playing around at his duck marsh either with his dogs, having family bonfires or just tooling around on his tractor.

Wilbur never met a stranger, always had time for everyone and never failed to provide one of his famous big bear hugs to anyone in need. He was truly a man who was larger than life.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. The family wishes that memorial contributions be made to Wilbur’s favorite causes, the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, the Animal Rescue League of Iowa or the Food Bank of Iowa.

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