Wilburn Thomas (WT) Castle

WT joined the US Navy in 1944 during World War II and served on the USS Leland E. Thomas until 1946. He then left the Navy and enlisted in the US Army where he served until 1965, and retired at the rank of Sgt. First Class at Fort Benning, GA. Following retirement, he and his family returned to Florence, TX where he operated the Texaco Gas Automotive. In 1967, he returned to Fort Hood as a helicopter mechanic with the US Civil service, where he retired after 20 years.

He and his family joined the First Baptist Church of Florence in 1960, where he was an active member serving as usher and Sunday school teacher. WT was known by all the children of the church as the "Gum Man". To their delight he always had a pocket full of gum for them to enjoy.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Gladys Castle, and his daughter Carolyn Davis.

He is survived by his 3 children; son, Tommy Castle and wife Donna, daughters, Bonita Barr and husband Bill, and Gale Webb and husband Billy. He is also survived by 8 grandchildren, Roxane Davis, Bill Barr II, Greg Castle, Brent Castle, Misty Vires, Charles Schulz, Allison Villasana and Holly Barnes and by 13 great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 29, 2017 at the First Baptist Church, Florence, TX.

Funeral services, with full military honors, will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 30, 2017 at First Baptist Church, 106 College St., Florence, TX. Interment will follow at the Florence Cemetery with Full Military Honors.

Pallbearers will be: Bill Barr, II, Charles Schulz, Greg Castle, Brent Castle, Chris Barnes, Ivan Vires, Eli Villasana and Lance Barr.

WT's family would like to extend special thanks to the staff and residents at The Court at Round Rock for years of care and kindness. Special thanks also to Encompass Home Health and Hospice Austin.