Wilburn Dewey

Tipton

Wilburn Dewey Tipton, 87, of Sweetwater, Texas passed away on Sunday, February 19 th , 2023. Funeral services for Wilburn will be held on Thursday, February 23, 2023 at 10:00 A.M. at McCoy Chapel of Memories. Interment will follow at Sweetwater Cemetery. Pa stor Michael Harbor will be officiatin g service s. There will be a family vis i tation on Wednesday, February 22, 2023 from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. at McCoy Funeral Home.

Wi l burn was born on October 26, 1935 in Floyd, New Mexico to parents Frank and Mayme Tipton. Wilburn graduated from Floyd High School in Floyd, New Mexico . His mother sent W i lburn to First Grade early because he was quite rowdy at home. Aft er graduating from high school Wilburn joined the United States Air Force, where he served 4 years active and 6 ye ars in the reserves. After his service in the Air Force Wilburn atten d ed Eastern New Mexico University and earned a Bachelor ' s De gree in Education . Wilburn married Shirley Jane O ' Haver on June 18, 1961. They were married for 56 years until her death in 2017. Wilburn met Shir l ey when she was following around the grocery store while he was wor king. Shirley followed him to a Baptist Church where W i lburn was teaching Sunday School. After earning his degree in Education Wilburn de c ided that teaching could not support his family , so Wilburn s pent 35 year s  working as a foreman on the kill floor of the meat packing business . Meat packing started in Clovi s , New Mexico and then brought him to Abilene (Potosi area) in 1980. The same business took him to Iowa and to Corpus Christi. In 2007 Wi lburn and Shirley moved to Sweetwater to be closer to family. Wilburn atten d ed Fourth and Elm Church of Christ.

Wilburn loved his family and made friends with everyone he met. Wilburn enjoyed family reunions. Family always came first. His family always ca me first, no matter what he was doing of where he was his children came first. W i lburn loved his siblings and helped them well into their adulthood. He would give you the shirt off his back if need be . Family trips often included rock hunting and getting lost in the mountains of New Mexico or maybe Arizona. Wilburn was a strong believer in God and shared his faith with family and fr iends.

Survivors are : Son: Alan E. Tipton and wife Donna of Sweetwater, Daughter: Yvonna Tipton Garcia and husband Lupe Jr. o f C isco, Texas, Grandchildren: Alicia Finn and fiancé Slade Hanson of Anson, TX , Hailee Tipton and fiancé Mathew Newman of Wisconsin, Brian " Trevor " McDowell of San Francisco, California, Tyler Blaylock and fiancée Laura Bell of San Angelo, TX, Sister: Joyce Church of Humbol d t, Tennesse e , Brother: Floyd Tipton of Dumas, TX, numerous nieces nephews and cousins.

P receded in death by : Wife: Shirley Tipton (2017), Son: William Martin Tipton, and his parents: Frank and Mayme Tipton.

Pallbearers will be members of Fourth and Elm Church of Christ.