Maberry Willbanks, loving husband, father and grandfather, passed away on Tuesday, January 13, 2004, at McKenna Memorial Hospital in New Braunfels. He was 88 years old. Maberry was born on May 8, 1915, in Rotan. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. May Willbanks. After attending Abilene Christian College, he served for 4 years in the Anti-Aircraft Coast Artillery during World War II. He married Dora Paul Snively on May 26, 1946 in Colorado City and they had two children, Robert and Rhonda. He was employed at Col-Tex Refinery in Colorado City and then transferred to Cosden Refinery in Big Spring in 1968. He retired from Cosden in 1980.For the past two years, Maberry and Dora Paul have been living at Oak Tree Assisted Living in New Braunfels to be closer to their daughter and her family.Maberry was a devout Christian and served as an elder and deacon at Colorado City Church of Christ and the 14th and Main Church of Christ in Big Spring for a total of 35 years.Throughout his life he enjoyed participating and watching all kinds of sports. He was a dedicated golfer until 2001 when he had a stroke.He enjoyed his two grandchildren very much and they will miss him dearly. He will be missed by all of his family and friends who knew and loved him.Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Dora Paul; his daughter and son-in-law, Rhonda and Mike Ester; his grandchildren, Stacy and Michelle Ester all of New Braunfels; one sister and brother-in-law, Mary Jo and Glenn White of Abilene; one sister-in-law, Anna Don Hardison of Houston and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son, Robert Willbanks; four brothers, W.H., E.B., Odell and Weldon Willbanks and two sisters, Kara McCombs and Maurine Rutherford.Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Friday, January 16, 2004 at the Nalley-Pickle & Welch Rosewood Chapel, Big Spring with Rick Cunningham, minister of 14th and Main Church of Christ, officiating. Interment will follow at Colorado City Cemetery, Colorado City.Arrangements under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Big Spring. Online condolences can be made at: www.npwelch.com,
