Joseph Alexander Wilburn, age 77, passed away peacefully in his home, November 25th, 2019.

Joe is survived by his partner in life and loving wife, Emilia Samaniego Wilburn, his three daughters, Yvonne Wilburn (Steve Ortiz), Kyleen Santomauro (Mike), and Michelle Sanchez (Ben) and his son, Joseph Wilburn (Cynthia).

Joe lives on in the memory of his ten grandchildren, Steven Ortiz, Brandon Ortiz (Queren), Megan Ortiz, Kyle Santomauro, Gunnar Santomauro (Megan Paduganan), Benancio Sanchez, Michael Santomauro, Christian Sanchez, Alejandro Sanchez and Joaquin Sanchez, He was also blessed with a beautiful great-grandson, Nathaniel. All are specifically named because he loved them dearly, near or far. Each was different and he found a way to love them individually.

Joe was a veteran of the Vietnam War where he was wounded several times and was awarded the Purple Heart with an oak leaf cluster.

He was known for giving you the coat off his back, literally. His gifts were sometimes practical...sometimes whimsical...but always meaningful to him.

The Wilburn family would like to thank Marissa and the entire hospice team at AAdi Home Health & Hospice for their loving care and support.

Public visitation will begin at 5:00 p.m. Monday, December 2, 2019 at Guardian funeral home with a Holy Rosary to be recited at 7:00 p.m. that evening.  A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, December 3, 2019 at Holy Family Catholic church, 2509 Nogales/MacArthur. Burial with Military honors will follow in the Coastal Bend State Veterans cemetery 9974 I.H. 37 North Access Rd.

A gathering of family and friends will be held after interment at Guardian Hall 5813 Ayers St. at the corner of Carolyn and Ayers