LAYTON, UTAH – Robert Joseph Willbanks (Willy) left us all to go be with his family and friends on March 26, 2019 at the age of 77. Bob was born January 13, 1942 in Bartlesville, Oklahoma to Joseph Pierce and Clara Alice Mastin Willbanks. He grew up and went to school in Davenport, Iowa; and Peru, Kansas.
Bob lived with his Grandparents Mastin in Peru, Kansas. He lived with his father Joe and stepmother Erma Willbanks in Englewood, CO. Bob met Jerre Jean Dodd in May of 1961, on September 16, 1961 they were married in Englewood, Colorado.
They began their U.S. Air Force life together in October 1961. Bob was sent to Amarillo, Texas for his basic training. Then he and Jerre were transferred to Edwards AFB California.
Their son Robert Byron was born there, February 20, 1964. God’s gift, Bob got himself a Son! !
Bob received orders to go overseas, Thailand. Jerre and Bobby went to Durango, Colorado to stay with Jerre’s mom. Bob left on February 13, 1966 seven days before his son’s 2nd birthday.
When he returned to the states, they were stationed at Warner Robins AFB Georgia, 1967-1970. Transferred to Hill AFB, Utah – 1550 FMS, helicopter squadron, then sent to Thailand 1973-74. Bob retired SMSgt from the U.S. Air Force January 1985.
Returned to Hill AFB as a civilian in 1986, retiring in 2005. In 1993 Bob and Jerre bought a Teal 1993 1500 SE Gold Wing Honda Motorcycle. They joined GWRRA “Gold Wing Road Riders Association” became life time member in 2000.
Bob was the Chapter H treasurer for many years. He and J.J. rode all over the United States with their New Gold Wing family and there are many of them. Bob and Jerre were hit by a deer May 2003 while on their way to a rally in Albuquerque, stopping their riding, but they never stopped going with their Gold Wing family!
Bob enjoyed his wife Jerre, son Bobby, family, friends, hunting, gardening, bowling, VFW #8307 family, and riding every place they could while they had their Wing “Old Blue”. Special thanks to Byron, Debby and Spiro who took care of Old Blue, and Becky for caring for Jerre and everyone else that was there for us. Bob is survived by his wife Jerre, son Bob and step-sisters, Karen Martin and Mary Cross.
He was preceded in death by his father, Joseph Pierce Willbanks, brother, Danny, step-brother, Greg Fellner and grandparents, William and Verna Mastin. We will miss our “Wrong Way Willy,” but he went the right way his time! Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 30, 2019 at 2 p.m. at Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 No.
Fairfield Road. Friends may visit family Saturday from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at the mortuary. Interment, Lindquist’s Memorial Park at Layton, 1867 No.
Fairfield Road. In lieu of flowers or donations may be made to American Heart Association of Utah in the name Robert J. Willbanks (Willy) Life Time Member GWRRA and VFW Post 8307 Layton. We want to thank everyone at Thatcher Brook Care and Rehab Center for all the care and love they gave to their Mr. Bob.
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