Wilmer B. Graybill

Wilmer (Wil) B. Graybill passed away at a local care facility on September 17, 2013. Wil was born December 27, 1928, in Council Bluffs, Iowa, to Amos and Viola Graybill. After graduating from Iowa State University in 1951, with a degree in Chemical Engineering, Wil began his professional career with PPG Industries. That career took Wil, his wife Mary Ann, and their four children on many assignments including Corpus Christi, Tx; Rome, Italy; Augusta, Ga; Lake Charles, La; and Pittsburgh, Pa. In 1978, Wil completed the Harvard Business School Advanced Management Program. Wil retired from PPG as Director of Environmental Affairs for the Chemical Division in 1992, while residing in Pittsburgh, Pa. Wil and Mary Ann moved to Lake Charles, La. for their retirement. Wil served faithfully and selflessly as an Elder in the Community of Christ Church, and served as pastor for many years in several locations. Numerous Building and Finance Committees benefitted from his expertise, and he personally was in charge of three projects resulting in the construction of three church buildings in different cities where he lived. His life of service is manifested by his favorite scripture from Micah 6:8. Besides Wil's devotion to his family and to his church and its mission, he also enjoyed membership in the South Lake Charles Kiwanis, where he especially liked working with the Coats for Kids project and serving meals at Abraham's Tent. He also was active with PPG Retirees, an investment club, and a woodworking club. Wil enjoyed all of the friendships he made while a member of these organizations. Wil is preceded in death by his parents Amos Dewey and Ada Viola (Larsen) Graybill of Council Bluffs, Iowa, sister-in-law Doris Graybill of Lamoni, Iowa, and brother-in-law Bill Zimmerman of Avoca, Iowa. The legacy of Wil's life will live on in those he leaves behind: His wife of 63 years, Mary Ann (Turk) Graybill, his four children Clark (Debbie) Graybill and Marta (David) Benglis of Lake Charles; Craig (Judy) Graybill of Houston, Tx.; and Janet (Gary) Tenos of Jacksonville, Fl. ; his ten grandchildren who called him PawPaw: Jeff (Leah) Graybill of Newbury Park, Ca; Eric (Heidi) Graybill of Clarksville, Tn; Steven (Paige) Graybill of Brandon, Ms; David Benglis, Jr. and Audrey (Josh) Hardesty, both of Atlanta, Ga; Emily (Micheil) Frazier and Bob (Morgan) Graybill both of Portland, Or; Marta Graybill of Houston, Tx; Charlotte (Ben) Lopez of Gainesville, Fl; and Deidre Tenos of Orlando, Fl. He is also survived by his eight great-grandchildren who called him "More PawPaw": Wyatt Graybill; Kade, Tyler, and Abigail Graybill; Paighten and Hayden Graybill; Molly Frazier; and Peri Graybill. Wil is also survived by his brother, Bruce (Betty) Graybill of Lamoni, Iowa, is sisters-in-law Audrey Zimmerman of Avoca, Iowa, and Lavonne (Edward) Rafuse of Richland, Washington, and his brother-in-law Melvin Turk of Panora, Iowa, and thirteen nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Friday, September 20, 2013 in the Johnson Funeral Home Chapel. Terry Shelton will officiate. Burial will follow in Consolata Cemetery. Visitation will begin on Thursday from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM and will continue on Friday from 8:00 AM until the start of the services. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Community of Christ, 719 15th St., Lake Charles, La. 70601. The family would like to give special thanks to Dr. Mark Lafuria and his staff, LC Memorial Hospital 2Tower staff, Harbor Hospice, Home Instead Senior Care, and The Guardian Care Facility, St. Gabriel unit, for their loving care extended to Wil and the Graybill family.