Stafford W. Wilbur

Date of Death: December 30, 2013

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The Historical Falls Church

Falls Church, VA 22046

Thursday 1/30, 12:00 pm

Stafford Williams “Staff” Wilbur, 88, of Arlington, Virginia, died Monday, December 30, 2013, in Winchester Medical Center, Winchester, Virginia.

Mr. Wilbur was born in 1925, in Providence, Rhode Island, the son of the late Clifford K. and Ruth Wilbur. He was a graduate of Cranston High School, Class of 1943 and the University of Rhode Island with a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Engineering. Mr. Wilbur was employed with NASA HQ in Washington D.C. as an Aeronautical Engineer, retiring in 1979. Mr. Wilbur was a member of Falls Church Anglican Church where he served as temporary business manager, handling many of the daily tasks needed to keep the church family, building and grounds in good shape. Mr. Wilbur was truly a family man that enjoyed being around his family. He loved to travel, especially to National Parks and the beach. Mr. Wilbur enjoyed filling in crossword puzzles, collecting rocks and photography.

He married Muriel Eleanor McCluskey on April 7, 1951, in Riverside, Rhode Island.

Surviving with his wife are two daughters, Nancy Pallansch of Atlanta, Georgia, Laura Roberts and husband, David, of Springfield, Virginia; sons, Lawrence Wilbur of Ashburn, Virginia, Steven Wilbur and wife, Kathryn, of Springfield, Virginia; six grandchildren, Eve Pallansch, Greg Pallansch, Matthew Wilbur, Melanie Wilbur, Janet Wilbur and Jack Wilbur; and two great grandchildren, Taylor Wilbur and Reed Wilbur.

One sister, Janet Blake and one brother, Keith Wilbur, preceded him in death.

Services will be held on January 30, 2014 at 12:00 PM at The Historical Falls Church, 115 E. Fairfax Street, Falls Church, Virginia 22046.

In lieu of flowers, donation may be made to Stafford’s favorite charity, The Smile Train at smiletrain.org.

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Thursday 1/30, 12:00 pm

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Stafford Williams “Staff” Wilbur, 88, of Arlington, Virginia, died Monday, December 30, 2013, in Winchester Medical Center, Winchester, Virginia. Mr. Wilbur was born in 1925, in Providence, Rhode Island, the son of the late Clifford K. and Ruth Wilbur. He was a graduate of Cranston High School, Class of 1943 and the University of RhodeContinue Reading

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I have so many wonderful childhood memories of both Stafford and Muriel. Stafford was always the life of the party for us kids - always making up games, jokes and stories. I will hold his memory dear. My deepest sympathies to Mrs Wilbur, Larry, Nancy, Stephen and Laura.

We met Staff and Muriel when our son, Oscar, married their niece, Linda McKenny. There were many good times at Oscar and Linda's cabin in the mountains of West Virginia. Staff was one of those persons you liked from the beginning. We always felt at home around Staff and Muriel. Good people. We will miss Staff at our family gatherings.

Many pleasant memories will continue of the over more than 50 years' association with Staff -- working with him at NASA, and even more, interacting with the Wilbur family at their home.

I remember the many visits to camp in Massachusetts with my uncle Staff's family. Uncle Staff was always very kind and interesting .... as a youngster growing we thought of him as the "rocket scientist" with NASA, yet he always was humble about his work. My earliest recollection was of him giving me a piece of the material they used to make one of the first satellites...(echo)... and how valuable that aluminized piece of mylar seemed to me. It really fostered my life long interest in science. I have been very fortunate to have been part if my dad's , his sister, and Staff,'s families and experiances. Thank you to this generation for shaping who I am , and my condolences to aunt Murial and family, while celebrating my uncles life that has made a difference in mine. Bruce Wilbur

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.