Preston H. Wilbourne, Sr.

Preston H. Wilbourne, Sr., age 81, died peacefully at his home on Stroebe Island on Thursday evening, April 20, 2006 with his wife Kitty was at his side. Preston was born in Erwin, North Carolina on February 25, 1925, son of the late John C. and Mary E. (Moore) Wilbourne. On April 13, 1950, the former Catherine Bratton became his bride in Roanoke, Virginia. During World War II, he served his country faithfully as a member of the Army Air Corps.

Preston had a long illustrious career in the airline business culminating as the Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Air Wisconsin Services, Inc. from which he retired in 1990. He was a part of the commuter airline industry in its infancy and helped shape and define what the regional airline business was to become. His proudest accomplishment outside his family was the recognition of Air Wisconsin as the first commuter airline to receive the status of a certificated Carrier of Public Service and Convenience, a designation that put, at that time, little Air Wisconsin in the company of the major airlines and truly “One Step to the World”. He also was a charter member of the Appleton West Rotary Club, the Past President of the Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce and President of the Commuter Airline Association and the Regional Airline Association.

Survivors include his wife of fifty-six years: Catherine “Kitty” Wilbourne of Appleton; five children: John (Peggy) Wilbourne of West Valley City, Utah, and children Angeline (Jason) Gallmeier, and Catherine, Jacqueline, and Hailey Wilbourne; Cathy (Michael) Ehrhardt of Kernersville, North Carolina and their children Elizabeth and Rebekah Ehrhardt; Preston Wilbourne, Jr. and his special friend Kanda Hazelwood of Sandy, Utah; Hurley (Patty) Wilbourne of Appleton and their children Sean, Cassidy, and Shannon Wilbourne; and Amy (John Carr) Wilbourne and their children Preston and Niall Carr; a sister-in-law: Gladys Kelly of Westlake, Ohio and her special friend Lew Schwenk; as well as nieces, nephews, relatives, many friends and business associates. Preston was preceded in death by his parents and by five brothers and sisters: Gladys (Hurley) Cox, Mamie (Walter) Parker, John E. (Avanelle) Wilbourne, Lena (Bob) Maynard, and William T. Wilbourne.

Funeral services for Preston will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 at FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, corner of Franklin and Drew Streets in Appleton with Rev. Kent Ingram and Rev. Jane Voigts officiating. Entombment will follow at Highland Memorial Park. Friends may call at the funeral home on Monday from 4:00 until 8:00 PM and again Tuesday morning from 9:00 until 10:30 AM. There will be no visitation at the church on Tuesday.

The family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to everyone at Heartland Hospice for their love and concern, as well as to the dedicated individuals who cared for Preston over the recent months. You are all very special people and your compassion and kindness will never be forgotten.

WICHMANN FUNERAL HOME
537 N. Superior Street
Appleton, WI 54911
920-739-1231
www.wichmannfuneralhomes.com