LAKEPORT, Calif. – Wilbur J. Wade passed away on Nov. 13, 2016, at the age of 87 in Lakeport.

He lead a very busy and eventful life. Wil was a Korean War veteran serving in the U.S. Army. After being discharged he worked for the Union Lumber Co. in Fort Bragg.

Wilbur married the love of his life, Blossom Hellgren, on Dec. 12, 1953.

He went on to join the California Division of Forestry in the 1950s where he spent a 30-plus year career. He held positions of fire equipment operator, crew foreman, assistant superintendent at Parlin Fork Conservation Camp, camp superintendent in Tulare County, State Forest Ranger II at Ben Lomond CYA camp, and State Forest Ranger II at Washington Ridge Camp in Nevada County.

He retired from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection in 1985 as assistant chief of manpower in the Conservation Camp program at Sacramento headquarters.
 
During this time Wilbur and his wife Blossom were active in the Masonic Lodge and Eastern Star. He was a member of Mendocino Masonic Lodge No. 179. Together they traveled the state and also built a home in Mendocino. Wilbur and Blossom moved to the family ranch in Upper Lake and enjoyed many happy years there.
 
Wilbur is survived by his loving wife of almost 63 years, Blossom; his daughter, Vickie (David); son, Martin (Lynda); brother, Delbert; and sisters, Nancy and Mary.

He enjoyed his grandchildren, Tina (Chris), Roberta (Tim), Neil (Vickie), Brian (Mallory), Russell (Jessica), Jared and Lyndsay. His great-grandchildren are Kimberly, Matthew, Scott, Lucas, Mason, Emma and Cody. Wil also enjoyed many loving nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Virgil and Eva of Upper Lake, and his sisters, Betty and June.
 
A memorial service will be held at Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 1625 High St., Lakeport, on Saturday, Nov. 26, at 11 a.m. A celebration of life will follow with details available at the service.

Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com .