Ernest Tilden Wilbur

Ernest Tilden Wilbur Junior was born on December 30, 1929 to Ernie and Jo Wilbur. He was born in a small home in McNary Arizona Tilden grew up surrounded by many cousins in St. Johns Arizona. He learned how to work hard in the garden, on the pig farm and in his father's store. He loved being the big brother to his brother Frank and sister JoLynne. Tilden studied business at ASU. He would hitch hike from St. Johns to Tempe to attend college. During his second year of schooling he met the love of his life, Carol Ann Briggeman. Tilden and Carol married in 1950 in Prescott Arizona and settled in St. Johns where he worked in his father's store. Tilden left St. Johns in 1955 to start a new grocery store in partnership with his father,the new "Wilbur's Market" in Pinetop. Their little family lived in the basement below. In 1961, Tilden and Carol purchased the old Hudson Farm home on Woodland Road. Tilden and Carol just celebrated their 64th anniversary 2 weeks ago. Tilden gave many years of service to the communities of Pinetop and Lakeside, as well as Navajo and Apache counties. His first official office was with the JC's in St. Johns. He has served on the Lakeside Cemetery committee, the Blue Ridge school board. He served on the Associated Grocer and IGA (Independent Grocers Association) for many years as well as on the Arizona Businessmen's Board under Governor Jane Hull. One of his greatest achievements and additions to the White Mountains was the founding of Northland Pioneer College. Tilden was the moving force behind the start of the college. He had a great desire to have each small community have access to education, believed strongly in the education of our youth, and fought hard to bring each community a mini-campus. He was the 1st president of the 1st governing board for NPC. Second to Tilden's love of his family was the love, adventure and challenge of building, establishing and running his grocery stores. At one time he had 4 Wilbur's Markets, one in each of the following communities: Show Low, Heber, St. Johns and Pinetop. He was the first businessman to introduce the mini-mall idea to the mountain. The Swiss chalet themed Ponderosa Plaza featured a men's and women's clothing store, a shoe store, Sprouse Reitz and the Wilbur's Market Shopping Center. Tilden was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He fulfilled many callings; Young Men's and Elder's quorum presidents, Bishop, Stake High Council and served several missions with his wife to the Apache Nation. Tilden is survived by his wife of 64 years, Carol, and his 3 daughters, Jeannie Sonne, Cynthia Toone (Tim), and Julie West (Steve) and 2 sons, E.T. III and David (Michelle) Wilbur, his sweet sister Jo Lynne Hutchinson (Brian). At the time of his passing Tilden had 20 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his beloved daughter Ann, parents Jo and Ernie Wilbur and his brother Frank Wilbur. There will be a viewing at the Owens Livingston Mortuary-White Mountain Chapel (320 North 9th Street in Show Low) on Thursday, March 13th, 2014 from 6 to 8 pm. The funeral services will be held on Friday, March 14, 2014 at the Lakeside LDS Stake Center (1520 Church Lane), with a viewing from 11:30 to 12:30. The funeral will begin at 1 pm. The graveside services will be held in the Lakeside Cemetery following the funeral services. The family would like to express their appreciation to the caregivers and nurses with Hospice. We are so grateful for the loving care of Daddy's doctor, Dr. Jeff Moffat who gave many hours of service to Dad, Yvonne Beckett for her care and for the 3 sweet women who daily cared for, nursed, and monitored both Mom and Dad- Mina Mahvi, Stephanie Bullock and Michelle Nozie. You eased our burdens and lightened our loads so that we could simply love our sweet Dad. We would also like to thank our Yvonne Hayes for her many years of loving service she has provided. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the Lakeside Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Missionary Fund and mail the checks to, PO Box 477, Lakeside, Arizona 85929.