Another World War II and Korean War veteran has died… Wilbert W. “Bill” Weckbacher, 96, of Marietta, (formerly of Lowell), passed away Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, at Elison Assisted Living of Marietta.
He was born at his grandmother Louisa Hercher’s home in Sycamore Valley on July 9, 1926, eldest son of the late Roscoe and Daisy Anderson Weckbacher.
He served our country in the United States Navy from 1944 to 1953. He was drafted on Sept. 25, 1944, and served in the South Pacific during World War II. Wilbert re-enlisted Feb. 1948, and was deployed as a radar operator on the destroyer USS Holder DDE 819 in the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. Wilbert’s highest rank was 1st Class Petty Officer when discharged May 13, 1953. While he was overseas, he received Air Mail letters from a young lady, Dorothy Riffle, whom he later dated and married on Dec. 5, 1950 at First Baptist Church, Marietta. Wilbert and Dorothy purchased a small farm and settled along the Muskingum River near Lowell where they raised their five children.
Wilbert retired as TV Sales and Repairman at McWhirter Electric, Marietta. He made service calls from his Lowell home in the evenings and weekends servicing TV sets and antennas. He worked for Lowell Community Cable System, installed towers and strung cables throughout Lowell. He was a member of American Legion Post 750 of Lowell and the VFW Post 5108 of Marietta.
Surviving are his brother, Dean (Sharon), of Sycamore Valley; youngest son and guardian, William “Bill” (Missy), of Lowell; daughters, Brenda (Mike) Rettke, of Bloomington, Ilinois, and Cindy (George) Hollister, of Comptche, California; sons, Ralph, of Lowell, and Steven (Rose), of Beverly; grandchildren, Natalie Weckbacher, of Beverly, Mason Weckbacher, of Lowell, ANG Paul Hollister, of Mesa, Arizona, and Victor Hollister, RPF, of Ukiah, California; great-grandchild, Annberlee Weckbacher, of Beverly; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving wife of 59 years, Dorothy; brothers, Alton, Mark and Maynard; and sister, Laura Ayers; son-in-law, George Barker; granddaughter, Melissa Weckbacher; and great-granddaughter, Karmony Rain McAtee.
Funeral services were held Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023, at McClure-Schafer- Lankford Funeral Home, with military services, followed by cremation.
Friends were received Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023, at the funeral home.
Messages of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.Lankfordfh. com.
Burial will be scheduled at the convenience of the family, at Pleasant Ridge Cemetery near Graysville.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Lowell- Adams Fire and Rescue in Wilbert’s memory.
