Wilbur R. Barnett's Obituary
BARNETT, Wilbur R., age 89, of Bellbrook, passed away Sunday, June 30, 2024, at his residence.
Wilbur graduated from Bellbrook High School and proudly served in the United States Army during the Cold War. During his military career, while stationed in Germany, he worked in highly classified communications. Specifically, he intercepted Russian communications and secrets for US intel. He retired in 1986 as a Police Sergeant for the City of Xenia after 29 years of service.
Giving, caring, friendly, and extremely honest and loyal, Wilbur was respected and hardworking his entire life. He had an incredible work ethic and often humorously said, “While you’re resting, you can be over there finishing that job!”
He was a lifelong farmer, tilling the original farmland his parents purchased in 1942 when Wilbur was six years old. Most of the farm was eventually sold to the Sugar Creek Park Board, known today as the Sackett-Wright Park & Claude J. Barnett Addition. In addition to his career in farming and with the Xenia Police Department, Wilbur also enjoyed carpentry work. His dad had a cabinet shop, and Wilbur often assisted him in building cabinets, home renovations, and furniture refinishing.
Wilbur was passionate about antiques, especially license plates and antique farm machinery. Wilbur was an honorary lifetime member of the Old Timers Club, Inc., which teaches farm history through antique equipment exhibitions. Some of his favorite traditions included visiting the Antique Engine Show in Portland, Indiana, each year. Wilbur and his family started attending the show in 1981. A swap meet was added a few years later, and they have traveled and visited the event every year since then. In fact, his son never missed a year, including the year Covid caused it to be canceled. During that year, his son drove over to the closed showgrounds and took a picture, continuing the family tradition of visiting every year. They also had a tradition of visiting the Fenton Art Glass Company in Williamstown, West Virginia. Four generations of family members enjoyed visiting the glass company in Williamstown until it closed. Among many things, Wilbur will be remembered for how much he loved and cared for his family. He will also never be forgotten for how much he loved telling stories. Specifically, the memories he loved to share about his time growing up on the farm and the many stories he obtained while serving on the police force were some of his favorites.
Wilbur was preceded in death by his wife, Bonnie, in 2019; his parents, Claude and Hattie Barnett; three brothers, Jack Barnett, Dwight Barnett, and Delbert Barnett; and sister, Marselle Gary. He is survived by his son, Scott (Tammy) Barnett; and grandson, Zach Barnett.
The family will receive friends from 10 AM – 12 PM on Saturday, July 13, at the Fairview Primitive Baptist Church in Bellbrook. A celebration of life service will immediately follow the visitation at noon on Saturday at the church. Joe Robinette will be officiating the services. A funeral procession and burial will follow the services on Saturday at Bellbrook Cemetery. Conner & Koch Funeral Home is serving the family. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton. Condolences at www.connerandkoch.com.
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