Memorials › Wilburn Taylor "Joe" Allbright
Wilburn Taylor "Joe" Allbright
20 Jul 1920 – 31 Dec 2006
| Birth | 20 Jul 1920 |
| Death | 31 Dec 2006 |
| Cemetery | Andrews County Cemetery Andrews , Andrews County , Texas , USA |
| Added by | Janice Williams Langley on 02 Jan 2007 |
| FaG | https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/17261501 |
Bio
W. T. "Joe" Allbright, at the age of 86 went to join his beloved wife, Frances on Sunday, December 31, 2006. Funeral services will be 2:00 Thursday, January 4, 2006 at the First Baptist Church in Andrews with Rev. Bryan Johnson of Home Hospice in Andrews, Rev. Milton Jochetz of Stanton, and James Allbright officiating. Burial will follow in the Andrews Old Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Kenneth Munsell; O.B. Raburn; John R. Parish; Gordon Cox; Leland Hamilton and Paul New. Honorary pallbearers will be the Andrews Masonic Lodge and Andrews Rotary Club members. Wilburn Taylor Allbright was born near Crockett, Texas on July 20, 1920, the son of Oscar Edward and Pearl Goodwin Allbright. The family moved to Loraine, Texas in 1924, and Wil and his three brothers grew up helping their dad on the farm in Mitchell County. His brothers gave young Wil the nickname "Joe", which stuck throughout his adult life, and many people were never aware that is not his real name. After graduating from Loraine High School, Joe went to Texas Tech where he played football from 1938 thru 1942 having the honor of being one of Coach Pete Cawthorn's boys. Joe served as the team captain his senior year. He was forever a true and dedicated Red Raider. Joe had enlisted in the Air Force Reserve, and was called to active duty after the 1942 season. He served as a B-24 pilot with the 5th Air Force in the Pacific, and was discharged in 1947 with a Captain's rank. He held a Major's rank in the Air Force Reserve, inactive. Receiving his discharge in 1947, Joe moved to Lamesa, Texas where he had accepted a position in the high school coaching football and teaching history and aeronautics. Soon after moving to Lamesa, he met Frances McCollum, and they were married June 15, 1948. The Allbrights moved to Andrews in January 1949 to farm and ranch 4 ½ miles southeast of town. Soon after moving to Andrews, they moved their letters to the First Baptist Church, and thru the years, each of their four sons were baptized there. Joe was elected to the Agriculture Stabilization Committee, and appointed by the Commissioners Court to serve on the Permian General Hospital Board. In 1956, he was elected County Commissioner of Precinct 1, a position he held for sixteen years. These were years of great growth and progress in Andrews County, and Joe enjoyed being a part of it. While he was in office, the County paved the city streets and many rural roads; built Permian General Hospital and a new library; constructed the little league parks; dredged out the old lake to create Lakeside Park; enlarged the cemetery, lengthened and lighted the airport runways and built the airport terminal building; added an additional nine holes to the golf course, acquired the right of way to make Highway 385 four lanes, and completed numerous other projects. Joe was on the original board of directors of Commercial State Bank, served on the board of Andrews County Chamber of Commerce, served as President of the Texas Tech Ex-Letterman's Association and as a Loyalty Fund Trustee for Texas Tech Ex-Students Association. Joe served on the Andrews School Lay Advisory Council, and other civic organizations. He was a 32nd degree Mason and member of Andrews Masonic Lodge #1024, a charter member of Andrews Rotary Club. Joe enjoyed fishing in Lake City Colorado, playing golf, and with the help of farm hands cleared mesquite for the first golf course in Andrews County. Joe was preceded in death by his wife, Frances McCollum Allbright; his parents, Edward and Pearl Goodwin Allbright; and three brothers, Oscar, G.W. "Jigs", and Jack Allbright. He is survived by his 4 sons: Joe McCollum Allbright and wife Vicki of Odessa, William Taylor Allbright and wife Linda of Andrews, James Francis Allbright and wife Elaine of San Angelo, and John Managan Allbright and wife Judy of Andrews; 15 grandchildren; and 11 great grandchildren. Memorials may be sent to Home Hospice, 803 North Main Street, Andrews, Texas 79714.
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