- Date Of Birth: October 6, 1928
- Date Of Death: December 7, 2011
- State: Illinois
Wilbur Edwin Vieira, 83, of Jacksonville, died Wednesday, December 7, 2011, at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield.
He was born October 6, 1928, in Jacksonville, the son of Charles and Nola Taul Vieira. He married Elinor Wooldridge on November 22, 1953, in Jacksonville and she survives.
He is also survived by four sons and two daughters, David Neal Vieira of Riverton, Trenna Sue Vieira and Dessa Ellen (Bruce) Surratt, both of Jacksonville, Anthony Edwin (Amy) Vieira of Moorpark, CA, Kenneth Paul Vieira of Jacksonville and Jacob Wayne (Dalila) Vieira of San Antonio, TX; ten grandchildren, David J. Vieira, Megan Morris, Chris Saylor, Kristoffer Bragg, Michael Bragg, Stacia Surratt, Sydney Huck, Lucas Vieira, Tania Vieira and Elijah Vieira; seven great-grandchildren; and one sister, Nylene Van Hyning of Lynville. He was preceded in death by six brothers, Charles, Lawrence, Clyde, Irvin, Robert, and Benjamin in infancy; and one sister, Frances Baptist.
Mr. Vieira was a member of Salem Lutheran Church and previously of the First Portuguese Presbyterian Church in Jacksonville. He was also a member of Jacksonville High School Class of 1946. Wilbur was a Master of many arts and trades, including stone masonry, horticulture, woodworking and antiquing. In the early 1970’s he began cultivating and brokering in the ginseng industry, traveling worldwide, including a trip to Hong Kong.
He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and collecting art and Native American artifacts. Wilbur was very proud of his Madeiran heritage. Even though he would not admit it, he was also a master of conversation. He especially loved his family, and enjoyed spending time with his coffee buddies and his good friend, Leo Vitale. He was a member of Plumbers and Pipefitters Union local 137 for over 50 years. He had many good and lifelong friends in the trades.
