Wendell Bilby

Wendell H. Bilby 1920 - 2009 The "World's Greatest Dad" as he was affectionately called, Wendell Harry Bilby, 89, died December 9, 2009 following a brief illness. Born in Omaha, Nebraska on July 27, 1920 to Harry H. and Pearl Bilby, Wendell was the youngest of their three children. He was preceded in death by his parents, eldest sibling, Marissa Lind, and wife of 58 years, Grethel S. Bilby. Left to cherish his memory are his brother, retired Lt. Col. Bedford B. Bilby of Vero Beach, Florida, Wendell's children, Larry (Dreama) Bilby of Tampa, Florida and Julie (Kim) Connerley of Gulf Breeze, Florida, along with grandchildren Cherie Monarch, Marsh and Alexandra Bilby, several nieces, nephews, cousins, and numerous friends. Wendell learned the homebuilding trade while an apprentice in his father's successful business in Omaha. When World War II began, he joined the Army Air Corps to serve his country. Upon being honorably discharged as a Second Lt., he parlayed the construction skills he learned into a lifetime career. But first, he married his high school sweetheart, Grethel Shoemaker. The Bilbys and their two children moved south from Omaha, eventually arriving in Florida where in 1954 the Veterans Administration offered Wendell a position in either Jacksonville or Pensacola as their V.A. Compliance Inspector. Wendell chose Pensacola. Thus began a 31-year career inspecting houses in Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties. The Bilbys lived in Pensacola for about a year before moving to Gulf Breeze and occupying the third house built on Navarra Street (as it was spelled in 1955) on the northwest corner of the intersection at San Carlos Street. While Wendell was the only V.A. housing inspector covering the tri-county area including Ft. Walton Beach, he did find time to operate a real estate business. His office was a white painted concrete building directly in front of the water tower on Fairpoint Drive. At one time, one-half of his building housed the community's tag office and the library before it moved to its present location. Recognizing the City of Gulf Breeze would someday need his property for city operations expansion (the police department was next door), he tried, unsuccessfully, to sell the property to the city. Both Wendell and Grethel Bilby were very active in a very young Gulf Breeze. Wendell, who had joined a Masonic Lodge in Nebraska, learned the area had none, so he helped charter Gulf Breeze Lodge No. 347. His wife became the first PTA president of Gulf Breeze Elementary when it opened in 1956, and was a Boy Scout den mother. But perhaps the Bilby claim to fame was Wendell's penchant for entertaining the neighborhood children at Halloween. Some may recall the witch's brew stirred in a huge caldron outside, or Wendell jumping out of the tree in the front lawn. Others may remember the year that Grethel Bilby invited the children in to see "poor Mr. Bilby who was feeling poorly" and when the kids would come closer to the living room couch, he would pull off his mask and another mask would be exposed! Between joining the Gulf Breeze United Methodist Church, recorded in the roster as members #128 and #129, Wendell's work in the construction industry and Grethel owning the first clothing store in Gulf Breeze for infants through size 12 named Guys and Dolls, the Bilbys knew just about everyone. However, it was Wendell's work that defined him. He was the consummate construction workers' inspector. Arriving on job sites at dawn so workers could get their footing inspections done early, to giving foremen an opportunity to correct mistakes - but always making sure everything was done right by the time he returned! Builders described him as "tough but fair." Upon his retirement from self-employment in 1985, the Homebuilders Association of Northwest Florida made Wendell an honorary lifetime member. Wendell's character made him a perfect candidate for freemasonry, which values honor, integrity, compassion, trust, and education. He originally joined a Masonic Lodge in Nebraska. Upon relocating to Gulf Breeze and learning the area had none, he was instrumental in helping charter Gulf Breeze Lodge No. 347. In 2009, he celebrated his 60th year as a Mason. He was also very active in the Hadji Shrine Temple as a charter member of the Directors Staff. In 1996, he was made an honorary lifetime member of the Hadji Shrine Directors Staff. Wendell may have lost his vocal chords to cancer in 1991, but he never lost his magnificent sense of humor. He delighted wait staff, sales clerks and children everywhere he went. Many recall how he would bend forks in restaurants, always have a new joke to share, or pretend to break his finger off and then reattach it in front of wide-eyed youngsters. He joined the Pensacola Association of Laryngectomees and Spouses where for many years he used his talents to produce the PALS newsletter for fellow "larys" who had also lost their natural ability to speak. He was inducted into the PALS Hall of Fame for his efforts on behalf of the organization. Wendell had a positive attitude about life, a "pay as you go" philosophy, genuine regard for people, and a sense of humor that kept him young at heart. The family would like to express their sincere thanks to the staff of Bay Breeze Nursing & Retirement Home who treated Wendell with respect and dignity; to Gulf Breeze Hospital's ER and ICU units, whose personnel displayed professionalism and the utmost compassion; and especially to Dr. Anita Westafer, family physician and friend for more than 20 years, whom Wendell adored. A special service celebrating Wendell's life will be held after the first of the New Year. Rose Lawn Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

Visitation

Visitation

Rose Lawn Funeral Home
2942 Gulf Breeze Parkway
Gulf Breeze, FL  32563
Friday, January 22, 2010
10:00 AM

Service

Celebration of Life Service

Rose Lawn Funeral Home
2942 Gulf Breeze Parkway
Gulf Breeze, FL  32563
Friday, January 22, 2010
11:00 AM

Cemetery

Inurnment

Barrancas National Cemetery
Hovey Road
Pensacola, FL