Arthur Dennis Willburn III

Arthur Dennis Willbern, III died on February 19, 2025, at his home in Bishop, Texas, at the age of 72. He was known to friends and acquaintances as “Dennis”.

As a child Dennis was quite precocious. He grew up as an only child and was so loved by his parents, Arthur Dennis Willbern, Jr. and Phila Maude Brown Willbern. He was also the only grandchild and the pride and joy of his fraternal grandparents, Irnie Willbern and Arthur Dennis Willbern, Sr. of Runge, Texas.

Dennis participated in the usual activities as he went through grade school, junior high school and high school in Bishop. Through the years he remained in contact with some of these friends from school and with friends from the old neighborhood. He was a cub scout and played the saxophone in the Junior High Band. After graduating from Bishop High School, Dennis attended the University of Texas in Austin and graduated with an Engineering Degree. He briefly traveled abroad, began work on a PhD but did not finish, had a short work experience before coming back to Bishop to reside at the family home where he began working with his father’s investment interests. Dennis also enjoyed playing video games. Dennis participated and supported the United Methodist Church in Bishop and remained friends with members who have known him for years. These same members made attempts to encourage Dennis to go to the doctor, wanted to drive him to an appointment, checked in on him, and some also took food to him. Others also tried to help him in various ways by doing odd jobs and driving Dennis to appointments, to the bank and to the doctor. The family appreciates that outpouring of Christian love.

Dennis is preceded in death by his parents, Phila Maude and Arthur “Art” Willbern Jr.; his fraternal grandparents, Irnie and A. D. Willbern Sr. of Runge, Texas, and maternal grandparents, Nan Ava and Harold Brown of Runge, Texas; and an uncle and aunt, Harold and Lilly Brown of Nevada.

Dennis is survived by an uncle and aunt, David Allen Brown and wife Jo Ann Brown of Richmond; and six cousins, Jeff Brown of Houston, Kyle Brown of Rosenberg, Michael Brown of Austin, Roberta Brown of Maryland, Mischele Brown deVos of Florida, and Bruce Brown of Nevada; and Carrie Brown Burton and Shane Burton of Austin.

A Memorial Service is planned for Saturday, May 24, 2025, at 1:30 at the Bishop United Methodist Church, 804 East 6th Street, Bishop, Texas with Pastor John Valles officiating. There will be a gathering in the Fellowship Hall after the service for visiting and conversation.