Wilburne Clay Stamper

Wilburne Clay Stamper passed away in Tucson, Arizona, April 26, 2014. Will was a lifelong native of Henry County and recently moved to Arizona. He was born on July 27, 1920, in Springport. His parents were Wilburne C. Stamper, Sr. and Maria Shepherd Stamper.

Will was a 1938 graduate of New Castle High School and attended Ball State Teachers College. He served in the United States Navy as a machinist mate during World War II. Upon returning home from his military service he and Ruth operated their family dairy farm in beautiful Blue River Valley north of New Castle. He drove a school bus for Mr. Summit and New Castle schools for a total of 43 years. After retiring from farming Will worked as custodian of the athletic facilities of New Castle High School and as a real estate broker with Mary Polk and Bob John ERA realtors in New Castle. He was an avid sports fan, golfer and amateur radio operator (K9FVN). He was a member of the Southside Presbyterian Church in Tucson and the First United Methodist Church in New Castle. He was also an active member of numerous civic and charitable groups including the American Legion, New Castle Masonic Lodge, Toastmasters Club, Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame and the New Castle Noon Optimist and Tucson Downtown Optimist Clubs. As President of the Noon Optimist club, he helped organize the New Castle Little League.

He is survived by his wife, Ruth Stamper, whom he married on November 13, 1938. He is also survived by his brother Milton Stamper of New Albany; a sister-in-law, Mary Alice Stamper of Anderson; a daughter, Anne Gooden of Tucson, AZ; sons, John Stamper of Pacific Palisades, CA and Mark (Susan) Stamper of New Castle; grandchildren, Hilary (Rick) Stamper of Half Moon Bay, CA, Jeffrey Stamper of San Francisco, CA, Andrea (Alberto Ranjel) Gooden and Cristina Fountain of Tucson, AZ, Lisa E. Coy and Mark A. Stamper of New Castle; great-grandchildren, Taysean and Amaria Fountain, Jasmine and Chloe Standez, Emily, Kathryn and Andrew Coy.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Mary Shively, Lela Lovelace and Patsy Wills; a daughter-in-law, Trudy Stamper and son-in-law, David Gooden.

A Memorial Service will be at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, June 21, 2014 at First United Methodist Church with Reverend Tom McGilliard officiating. Friends may call from 12-1 p.m. prior to the service. Arrangements are entrusted to Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service in New Castle. You may express condolences or share a memory of Will at www.hinsey-brown.com .