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A Tribute to the Late William Henry Walbuck I
Called to Labor: October 24th 1933 * Called to Reward: February 3rd 2021
 The late William Henry Walbuck I, affectionately called: Grandpa, Bor William, Papay, and Superfly, and twin sister Henrietta Walbuck Paykue were born October 24th, 1933 in New Georgia Township, Montserrado County; unto Patsy Davis and Thomas Walbuck. Their parents predeceased them. At an early age, he was adopted by his maternal uncle late John William McGee, retired Collector of Internal Revenues of Liberia. He grew up on Randall St., Monrovia.
William graduated from Booker Washington Institute in Kakata, Margibi County in 1970. Due to his proficiency and exceptional job performance, he was hired immediately by the Voice of America as a Radio Operator after his internship. On August 7, 1971, he married Fanny Jane Witherspoon, daughter of Geneva Mason Iyee and Samuel Andrew Witherspoon of Lexington, Sinoe County. They predeceased her. She was given away by her late uncle Samuel Davis Mason.
The Walbuck family lived at Amilcar Cabral Estate, Sinkor Old Road, Monrovia up to August 9th, 1990 during the Civil War when they had to flee to Danane, the Ivory Coast. As fate would have it, on September 16th, 1992 Voice of America relocated the family to Boise, Idaho, USA along with other employees who were sent to other parts of the United States. William was later honorably retired for his outstanding service to the United States Government. While in Boise, he worked for Micron Custom Manufacturing Services and attended Cathedral of the Rockies. He came home 1998 for his mother’s burial, and returned February 2018 for the last time with his wife of 50 years.
William enjoyed life to the fullest and loved gardening, playing cards, Ludo, fishing, and socializing with family and friends. He habitually tinkered with repairs, recycling and reusing any and everything that was handy. A world class dancer, William could dance the Waltz and Call Drill to perfection and would dance the night away with any song that got his wife on the dance floor. He will never be forgotten especially for his humility, generosity, advice, patience, jokes and words of wisdom: “See but don’t see!” “Hear but don’t hear! “Speak but don’t speak!”
The late William Henry Walbuck I transitioned to reward February 3rd, 2021 at Fidelity Hospital, Monrovia. On February 25th, his mortal remains were removed from St. Moses Funeral Parlor, Gardnersville to Charlotte Memorial UMC, New Georgia Township for the funeral rites; followed by interment at New Georgia Township Town Center Cemetery in the family plot.
Cherishing his loss are children: Euphemia Torres (Luis), William II (Hannah), Margaret Goss (Travis), McFrancis, Samuel (Brooke), Joseph (Tara), and Patsy Zimmerman (Ryan); grandchildren: Cyan, Addria, Aliya, Jayden, McKellen, Cedella, Malaika, Honeywest, Victor, William III, Isaiah, Amayah, Walter, Hazel, and Langston; and great grandchildren Isaiah and Amayah. Others are his siblings: Henrietta Walbuck Paykue, Hubert Wilson, Benetta King, Reginald Wade, Lafayette Walbuck, Ishmeal Walbuck, and many relatives and friends in Liberia and the United States. He was predeceased by his brothers Franklin Wade and Roosevelt Walbuck.
The Walbuck, Witherspoon, McGee, and Davis families extend heartfelt gratitude to all those who joined us to celebrate the peaceful homegoing of the late William Henry Walbuck I at Charlotte Memorial and via Providence Baptist Church telecast in the United States. We also express sincere appreciation to the clergy, our relatives, Voice of America, Liberian community in Boise, and our friends for your prayers, calls, visits, cards, tributes, wreaths and kindness.
The memorial celebration for the life of the late William Henry Walbuck I will be held Saturday, June 19th, 2021 beginning at Noon in Boise, Idaho at 3803 Maze St.
“Don't grieve for me, for now I am free; I'm following the path God laid for me…”
For more information, please contact:
• Fanny Witherspoon Walbuck – (208) 391.3851
• Euphemia Torres – (208) 440.6520
• Margaret Goss – (208) 695.6514
• William Walbuck Jr. – (208) 810.0522
• Patsy Zimmerman - (208) 284.1202 |
