Wilbur James Howser was born in St. Joseph, Missouri, on October 15, 1938 to George and Georgia Howser.  When Wilbur was five years old, his family moved to Richland where he lived until his death, from pancreatic cancer.  Wilbur was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Marian, his brother, George Jr., and his half-brother, Ronald. 

As a teenager and throughout his adult years, he was fascinated with cars, especially street rods.  He continued to work on his street rods, until a week before his death.  In the last three years of his life he was able to build the car of his dreams, a 1934 Ford Roadster.  We are thankful to his many friends who helped with his cars when his health began to fail, especially Jim Jewett. 

Three of Wilbur’s greatest loves were his family, his cars, and the Richland Bombers.  In 1964, Wilbur married Jinny (Barnett) Garrett, a widow with two very young daughters.  Together, Wilbur and Jinny had two more children, a boy and a girl.  Wilbur never considered himself a step-dad.  To all his children, he was simply “Dad” and he was quite proud of that. 

Wilbur is survived by his wife of 52 years, Jinny, their four children Tana (John) Payne, Tara (Rich) Reed, Marty Howser, Mandy (Brett) Meyer; grandchildren-Brooks (Dana) Payne, Kasey Payne, Brandon (Kindra) Reed, Kaylon Reed, Taylor Reed, Riley Howser, Tait Meyer and Jared Meyer; great grandchildren-Jaidyn, Cade, Miller Reed, and Silas Reed. 

Inurnment will be held on March 25th at 1:00 at Resthaven Cemetery (across from Hapo Community Credit Union) on Williams Blvd., in Richland.  A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 at Northwest United Protestant Church, at 1312 Sacramento, in Richland, with parking on Wright Street.  A potluck reception will follow, in the church’s fellowship hall.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Northwest United Protestant Church Youth Group Fund.  The family requests that you wear vibrant, happy colors and/or street rod shirts.  Please, bring your street rods!