Lieutenant Commander Willard Burton Stubbs, USNR (Ret.) of Hobe Sound, Florida and Vienna, Georgia, age 79, passed away on Sunday, May 30, 2016 A native of Ocala, Florida, he was born on October 4, 1936, to the late Willard W. and Merris Lovell Stubbs. Commander Stubbs served this great country with honor and pride as a Naval Flight Officer in the U. S. Naval Reserve for 24 years. Burton was a true Southern Officer and Gentleman who exemplified faithfulness and compassion; a loving husband, father and grandfather who loved his family above all else in this world. He always strived to-be faithful to his word.
Commander Stubbs was predeceased by his loving wife, Shelby Jean Andrews Stubbs, of more than 53 years. His memory will be forever cherished by the lights of his life, a daughter and son-in-law, Debbie and Richard Wright of Cordele, Georgia; a granddaughter and grandson-in-law, Alissa and Eric Wilkerson of Cordele, Georgia; a son and daughter-in-law, Dr. James and Joanne Stubbs of Alpharetta, Georgia; three granddaughters, Isabella Stubbs, Stephanie Stubbs and Anna Stubbs of Alpharetta, Georgia. He is survived by a second loving wife and companion, Mary Lynda Moreland Stubbs; a stepdaughter, Monica Caraballo; and step-granddaughter, Taylor Caraballo, a stepson, Mark Hudson and his wife, Lisa, and step-granddaughter, Chelsea Hudson of Dacula, Georgia; step-brothers, Robert Moreland of Ocala, Florida, and Harold Holloman of Americus, Georgia.
Commander Stubbs was graduated from Jacksonville University, Jacksonville, Florida with an A.A. Degree in 1957. He then transferred to the University of Florida, where he was graduated in 1959 with ,
a B.S. in Education. He later attended University of Central Florida, working on a Master's Degree. This endeavor was interrupted, however, due to an extremely heavy travel schedule at work.
Before his retirement, Commander Stubbs served as a Program Analyst and an Education Specialist in the Department of Defense for more than twenty-five years. After retirement he remained active in civic affairs in Vienna, Georgia, becoming the first Chairman of the Vienna Historic Preservation Commission. He also served multiple terms as chairman of both the Vienna Downtown Development Authority and Vienna Development Authority. He proudly served in all those positions until his wife's declining health became a pressing issue, necessitating his resignation from all positions to devote full time to Shelby's care.
Burton was an Ordained Deacon and a member of the Lake Blackshear Baptist Church of Cordele, Georgia, where he developed their first complete Website. His ministry there was as Webmaster for the church's Website until the death of his wife.
A graveside memorial service and interment will be held, with full military honors, in Vienna City Cemetery. . Brannen-NeSmith Funeral Home in Vienna, Georgia is in charge of funeral arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully suggests that memorial donations be given to the Wounded Warrior Foundation. 7020 A. C. Skinner Parkway, Suite 100. Jacksonville. FL 32256, or to the Georgia Baptist Children's Home, 9420 Blackshear Hwy., Baxley. Georgia 31513. An on-line guest registry is available at http;//obit.brannen-nesmith.com/. and www.treasurecoastseawinds.com