Dois Vester Wilbanks

Dois Vester Wilbanks, of Bay City, Michigan passed away Saturday evening March 24, 2012 at The Carriage House of Bay City at the age of 88 years. He was born to the late Robert & Myrtle (Byrd) Wilbanks on May 19, 1923 in Poyen, Arkansas and had lived in Bay City for many years. Dois was a member of Crossway Christian Church and retired from the Iron Workers Local #25. He served with the United States Army during WWII and fought in the invasion of Normandy. Dois enjoyed golfing, NASCAR Racing and most of all enjoyed spending time with his family. Mr. Wilbanks is survived by one daughter and son-in-law; Darlene and Jim Averill of Roanoke, VA, two sons and one daughter-in-law; Terry Wilbanks of Pinconning and Royce and Sandy Wilbanks of Midland, ten grandchildren; Darrin Averill, Tammy (Dan) Richards, Timothy Averill, Rachel (Noel) Gray, Grant (Erin) Wilbanks, Brooke (Doyle) Wilbanks, Ashley Wilbanks, Lillian Wilbanks, Amber Wilbanks and Alesha (Ben) Switzer, fourteen great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandson, two brothers; Marvin Wilbanks, R.L. Wilbanks, four sisters; Kernie Bowers, Bonita Sheridan, Betty Reynolds, Emma Blake ,and several nieces and nephews. On October 11, 1943 Dois married the former Bonnie I. Walker and his beloved wife preceded him in death on September 3, 2011. He was also preceded in death by his parents; Robert and Myrtle and two sisters; Stella Sorrell and Helen Taylor. The family would like to express a heartfelt thank you to the staff at The Carriage House of Bay City - Manor North and special friends; Ardith Allman and Ann Todd for the kind and compassionate care they provided for Mr. Wilbanks. Funeral Services will take place Wednesday, March 28, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at the Gephart Funeral Home, Inc. Co-officiating will be Pastor David Westover and Pastor John Botkin, under the auspices of the United States Army and the Bay County Veterans Council. Friends may call at the funeral home on Tuesday from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. and on Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. and until the time of services. For those planning an expression of sympathy the family asks that you consider a memorial to The Carriage House or The Bay County Veterans Council.