Wilbur Ray Stewart, 76, of Tifton died Monday, February 2, 2009, at Southern Care Retirement Center in Tifton. Graveside funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 5, 2009, in Enigma Cemetery. Rev. Mark Stone will officiate with burial to follow in Enigma Cemetery. Ted Cone, Larry Kennedy, Billy Stewart, David Stewart, Tyler Riddle, Chase Riddle and Johnny King will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, February 4, 2009, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals.
Mr. Stewart was born on January 10, 1933 in Enigma and was the son of Jacob Franklin Stewart and Ethel Keiffer Stewart, both deceased. He was also preceded in death by three brothers, Eugene Stewart, Harold Stewart and Pat Stewart. He was an Air Force veteran and was an aircraft mechanic at Robins Air Force Base. At one time, he owned and operated Stewart Dusting Service, was a former mayor of Enigma and was a local merchant. He had retired to his farm and enjoyed working with his cows, growing produce and fishing. He was a member of the Enigma Congregation Christian Church.
Mr. Stewart is survived by his daughters, Kimberly Stewart of Milledgeville, Juli Stewart Riddle and her husband, Tom, of Tifton; his sister, Anita Stovall-Burch and her husband, Lynn, of Enigma; his brother, Donald Stewart and his wife, Evelyn, of Athens; his grandchildren, Thomas Tyler Riddle, Jacob Chase Riddle, Kate Marie Riddle and Hampton Stewart Riddle; and numerous nieces and nephews.