WORCESTER-Wilbur C. “Papa” Dyer, 62, of 51 Grammont Road, died Saturday, December 11th in U Mass Hospital after an illness. He leaves his wife of 38 years, Eunice (Brooks) Dyer. He is survived by 2 sons, Marc C. and his wife Lisa Dyer and Jon E. and his wife Erma Dyer, 6 grandchildren, Jesse, Zachary, Ian, Charla, Lynsie and Naomi Dyer, all of Worcester, 4 brothers, Glen, and his wife Aimee Dyer of Corona, CA, Benjamin, and his wife Rosemary Dyer of Long Beach, CA, Dr. Norman Coates and his wife Martha Coates, Alan and his wife Deidre Coates all of St. Paul, MN, 4 sisters, Janice, wife of Leroy Logan, Jr., Janelle, wife of Donald Butler, Rochelle, wife of Richmond Appiah, all of Worcester and Cecily Dyer of Marina Del Rey, CA, his close friends, John Maddox and Jimmy Rooker of Worcester, 2 aunts, Elinor Chester of Rochdale and Jean Hawley of Rutland, 100 nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews, and 89 cousins. He was predeceased by his foster mother and aunt Charlotte Fisher, a brother Keith Coates and 2 sisters, Priscilla Dyer and Deborah Jantuah.
Born in Worcester on April 13, 1942, he was the son of Russell Dyer and Thelma (Storms) Dyer Coates and except for a brief time in California, lived here all of his life. He was a member of John Street Baptist Church, attended Worcester schools and graduated from Worcester Boys Trade School in 1959. Mr. Dyer was a licensed electrician, a member of IBEW, was employed by several electrical contractors including Ostrow Electric for many years and in his own business, servicing many of the churches in the area. Wilbur served in the Army from 1960 to 1963 including duty with the 9th Missile Detachment in Germany.
The funeral service is Tuesday, December 14th at 11:00 AM in O’CONNOR BROTHERS FUNERAL HOME, 592 Park Avenue. Burial will be in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton. A calling hour will be held in the funeral home from 10:00 until 11:00 AM the day of the funeral. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Alcoholics Anonymous, 100 Grove Street, Worcester, MA 01605.