Wilby Minton

Wilby Carl Minton, 76, of Clovis died Tuesday, August 15, 2006 at his home in Clovis. He was born May 2, 1930 to Jeff and Thelma Minton in Jonesboro, Arkansas. He married Essie Hopper June 25, 1965 in Blytheville, Arkansas. He served 25 years in the United States Air Force, retiring in 1971 at the rank of Senior Master Sgt. He and his wife, Essie, owned Minton Appliance Service and later, American Appliance Service. He loved animals, especially dogs. He retired in 1993. He was a member of Central Baptist Church, a lifetime Charter Member of the National WWII Memorial, a Charter Member of the Air Force Memorial Fund, and a lifetime member of the Veteran of Foreign Wars of the United States, Post 3280. He received the ribbons of National Defense Service Medal with one Bronze Service Star, Air Force Good Conduct Medal with two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters and Air Force Longevity Service Award with 5 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster while serving in the USAF. During his service in the Vietnam Conflict his unit received a Unit Citation Award.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his great-grandson, Trey Williams, and his grandson, Bryan Minton. Survivors include his wife Essie of the home in Clovis; eight children, Ramona Stich of Amarillo, TX, Carl Minton of Arlington, TX, Collette Heim of Moore, OK, Sue Fox of Glendale, AZ, Debbie Green of Beckley, W VA, Carol Madrid of Amarillo, TX, Leta Miller of OFallon, MO, and Keith Limbert of Chester, England; two stepchildren, Wayne Hopper of Melbourne, AR, and Steve Hopper of Hot Springs, AR; twenty grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, one brother, four sisters, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Services will be at Steed-Todd Chapel in Clovis, Friday, August 18, 2006 at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Alan McAlister officiating. Burial will follow at Lawn Haven Memorial Gardens with Full Military honors by The Cannon Air Force Base Honor Guard. Pallbearers will be Jack Donahey, Joe Hatley, Bill Chapman, C. V. Thompson, Floyd Davis Willard ORear.

Memorials may be made to the American Diabetic Association, 2625 Pennsylvania NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110, or the Air Force Memorial Foundation, 1501 Lee Highway, Arlington, VA 22209-1109.

Service

Central Baptist Church
2501 N. Norris
Clovis, NM  88101
Friday, August 18, 2006
2:00 p.m.

Cemetery

Lawn Haven Memorial Gardens
1601 E. Llano Estacado
Clovis, NM  88101

Memorial Contributions

American Diabetes Association
2625 Pennsylvania NE
Albuquerque, NM  87110

Air Force Memorial Foundation
1501 Lee Highway
Arlington, VA  22209