Willard E. “Gene” Wilt, 87, of Rushsylvania, passed away Tuesday, April 26, 2016, at Heartland of Bellefontaine.
He was born in Bellefontaine on Jan. 1, 1929, to the late Vernon and Helen Browning Wilt. Gene also was preceded in death by three sisters, Louise Cummins, Maryann Harrod and Marylou Fish; son, Bob Wilt; and son-in-law, Jerry Downing.
Gene worked for the railroad and spent many years working at the Roundhouse in Bellefontaine. He then went to work for Rockwell International in Kenton as a welder and retired after 28 years. Gene was an avid fan of the Ohio State Buckeyes and was a member of the Logan County Friendly Senior Center. He was also a member of the Rushsylvania Church of Christ and attended the Rushsylvania United Methodist Church.
Gene is survived by his wife, Betty Jean Spillman Wilt, whom he married Sept. 25, 1946, at the Hardin County Fairgrounds. He is also survived by their children, Linda Downing and Bonnie (Mike) Hamilton, both of Rushsylvania, and Terry Wilt of Columbus; four grandchildren, De De (Mike) Doss, Heather (Andy) Godwin, Jerry (Jennifer) Downing and Mike (Daphne) Hamilton; eight great-grandchildren, Joel Doss, Tucker Downing, Holden Downing and Gage Downing, Kelsey Godwin, Hayden Godwin and Kyla Godwin and John Hamilton; and several nieces and nephews.
Calling is from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday, May 1, at the Eichholtz Daring & Sanford Funeral Home, Bellefontaine, where Pastor Lloyd Ferguson officiates the funeral at 11 a.m. Monday, May 2. Burial is in Rushsylvania Cemetery.
Condolences may be expressed at www.edsfh.com.