Wilburn W. Cox, age 87 of Malvern, died Tuesday, September 25, 2018 at Encore Healthcare Center. He was born in Willow, Arkansas (Dallas County) on August 9, 1931 to the late Albert Cox and Willia Myers Cox. Reared and receiving his early education in Malvern, he was a 1949 graduate of Malvern High School. He attended the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, and Henderson State University in Arkadelphia. He retired as captain in the infantry, serving sixteen years in the Arkansas National Guard and Army Reserve.

Wilburn was active in asphalt paving, redi-mix concrete, highway construction and aggregate production, having retired after 48 years with Mid-State Construction and Martin Marietta Materials.

He was an active member of First United Methodist Church, having served on the finance committee and the board of trustees. He proudly assisted his wife, Claudette with mission work. He was a past president of the Malvern Country Club and Hot Spring County Master Gardeners. He belonged to the Hot Spring County Historical Society, was a life member of Friends of the Library, Boyle House Museum, and previously with the Fellowship Hunting Club before suffering a left sided stroke. He also was a 50+ year member of Rockport Lodge, #58 F & AM, a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason and York Rite Mason.

Wilburn was also preceded in death by his wife, Claudette Owen Cox, to whom he was married on April 26, 1991; by his first wife, JoAnn Stuart Cox; daughter, Jan Elizabeth Cox Schrepel; sisters, Ila Crispino and Maxine Overton; brother, Choyce Cox; brothers-in-law Clint Russell and Cletis Overton; and sister-in-law, Jean Cox Hobbs.

He is survived by a sister, Shirley Russell of Hot Springs, grandson, Patrick Schrepel and his wife, Amanda; granddaughter, JoAnna Sanders; great-granddaughters, Macy Schrepel, Emma and Kimbyr Sanders; and numerous cousins, nephews and nieces.

Memorial service will be eleven o'clock Saturday morning, September 29, 2018 in the chapel of J. A. Funk Funeral Home with Reverend Bruce Bennett officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to Harvest of Hope, c/o First United Methodist Church, 127 East Page Avenue, Malvern, Arkansas 72104.

Online condolences may be sent via jafunkfuneralhome.com.