NORWICH – Billy Joe “B. J.” Wilbur, 33, of Beebe Avenue, and life-long Norwich resident, passed away Saturday morning, April 21, 2007, in the Chenango Memorial Hospital, following a long illness.
Born in Norwich on Dec. 26, 1973, B.J. attended the Norwich schools. Following his school years, he worked briefly at the Fins and Feathers Pet Store in Norwich, McGraw Box in McGraw, and the Country Store in Norwich, before finding out that his true passion was in computer repair. B.J. had his own business, “That Bytez Computer,” in the Eaton Center for a time, before health problems curtailed his activities and he became a stay-at-home dad, raising his family. A kid at heart, he was adored by children because he would talk to them at their level. He loved sports, especially the New York Yankees, football, and fishing, and was an out-going people person who was a friend to everyone.
B.J. is survived by his mother and father, Josephine and Harry Warner of Norwich; his wife, Renee Wilbur, and his children: Kirsten, Shyanne, Megan, and Nicole Wilbur, all of Norwich. He is also survived by his sisters and brothers and their spouses: Kevin and Susan Kohout of Davenport, Lisa and Art Palmer of Guilford, James Donnelly of Sherburne, Harry and Winona Donnelly and Michael Donnelly all of Norwich, Daniella and David Chabot of Sidney, Rose Wilbur and companion Brian Joy of Norwich, and Alydia Wilbur of Oxford, Edwin Wilbur of Florida, Norman Jr. and Lisa Wilbur of Daytona, Fla.; Jeremiah and Matthew Wilbur, both of Oxford, and by aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews; by his best friend and confidant, Todd Furman; and by many good friends. He was predeceased by his sister, Brenda Wilbur, in May of 2006, and by his good friend, Shawn Doolittle.
Funeral services for B.J. will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday from the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home. Pastor Gerald Bovee, of the First Baptist Church of Mt. Upton, will officiate. Interment will be at a later date in the South Side Cemetery of Plymouth. Friends are invited to call at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home on Friday from noon until the service at 2 p.m.