Jimmie Lee Wilbert

Jimmie Lee Wilbert was born on October 12, 1941, in Dora, Alabama.  He passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, at Lutheran Hospital on February 23, 2026. 

He met and later married Viola Wilbert on January 9, 1967, in Birmingham, Alabama.  In 1969, they made Fort Wayne, Indiana, their home.

For 35 faithful years, he worked at General Motors Powertrain in Defiance, Ohio.  Outside of work, Jimmie loved collecting and listening to his favorite blues music.  The Christmas season was especially dear to him.  A time of laughter, family, good food, and traditions that he looked forward to each year. 

One of his favorite things to do was watching the Alabama Crimson Tide and was known as the #1 fan of the Chicago Bears. On game day, everyone knew where his loyalty stood.  Win or lose, he stood by his teams with pride.

Above all, his greatest joy was being “PaPa” to all his grandkids.  He treasured every hug, every laughter and every moment spent with them.  His love for all his grandkids was endless, and the legacy of that love will live on in their hearts forever.

Jimmie leaves to cherish his memory:  His children Alicia (Roy) Ayers, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Jason Wilbert, Indianapolis, Indiana; and Tonya Williams, Dora, Alabama.  Brothers:  Calvin (Jennifer) Wilbert, Birmingham, Alabama, and Hugh Woods “Snapper” Fort Wayne, Indiana.  Sisters:  Gladys (Samuel) Hairston, Birmingham, Alabama, and Linda Lewis, Fort Wayne, Indiana.  Eleven grandchildren:  Londria Ladner, Roi-Keila Ayers, Chavis Williams, Jakhari Wilbert “Nuk”, Jasmine Wilbert, Jayonna Wilbert, Roy Ayers II “Tre’”, Ebony Williams, Aliyah Ayers, Joshua Wilbert, and Jeremiah Wilbert “Bruiser”, and 19 great-grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends. 

Preceding him in death:  His wife, Viola Wilbert, his parents, Illivia Woods, James Sr. and Mary Louise Wilbert, siblings, Lucious Haglar, Priscilla Woods-Griggs, Tommy Woods, Beatrice Benson, Terry Woods, Sherman Wilbert, Dwight Wilbert, James Wilbert Jr., and Irving Wilbert, and a grandson, Brandon Williams.

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