Wilbur Hinkle

Wilbur Hinkle of Central Point, Oregon passed away on December 21, 2023 at the age of 89.

Wilbur was born in Trenton Nebraska to Alf and Kela Hinkle on April 19, 1934.
Wilbur was the oldest of 3 boys and had 2 younger brothers, twins, Dale and Gale. He was
raised on a small farm and graduated from Beaver City High School in 1953.

Wilbur met his future wife through a mutual friend soon after graduating high school. On August 21,
1955 in Arapahoe, Nebraska, he married Margaret Marie Lamb and they remained married for 55
years until her death in 2010. They resided for a short time in Nebraska and Kansas before moving
to Oregon in 1957.

Wilbur and Marie raised three daughters, Kela, Mary, & Rhonda. Wilbur worked for many years
at Medford Steel and later as a bus driver for Rogue Valley Transportation District. Wilbur was
a well known bus driver and loved by many of his passengers. He retired from RVTD after 22
years.

Although Wilbur was diagnosed with polio at 15 and later with post polio, it never held him back.
He enjoyed doing many things, such as traveling with his wife Marie. Throughout the duration of
their marriage they went on many cruises and traveled all over the world. Wilbur was involved
in square dancing, and loved to garden. Wilbur never met a stranger and was well known for his
friendliness, handlebar mustache, and ability to make friends with everyone. He loved spending
time with his family and friends. You would find him many mornings at Parkside Cafe or having a
glass of wine at a local winery. Wilbur attended Table Rock Fellowship and Journey Church.
Wilbur also had many friends from his 8 years at Twin Creeks Retirement and his last year at
Pear Valley Assisted Living.

Wilbur is survived by, daughters Kela (Rick) Perry of Central Point, OR., Mary DelleChiaie, of
Colleyville, TX, and Rhonda (Curt) Badger of Medford, OR.; four grandchildren, twins Brian Perry, of
Portland, OR and Lindsy (Trent) Weseman, of Parkdale, OR; Brittney (Ryan) Hutton, of Avondale,
AZ, Kyle Badger (Tawnya) of Medford, OR; and five great-grandchildren Kaden and Kamden
Badger, Harper and Presley Weseman and Alana Hutton. He is also survived by his brother, Gale
Hinkle of Lebanon, OR. Preceding him in death were his parents, his brother Dale Hinkle and his
wife Marie.

Memorial service will be held in his honor on what would have been Wilbur’s 90th birthday, Friday,
April 19, 2024 at 1:00 pm at Table Rock Fellowship. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a
charity of your choice. Expressions of caring and condolences may be sent to Memory Gardens or
placed on their website