Wilbur H. Whitey Hammons, 87, a lifelong resident of Arcadia, Louisiana passed away on Monday, May 23, 2011 surrounded by his loving family. Visitation services will be from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 24, 2011, at the Kilpatrick Funeral Home at 209 N. Bonner Street in Ruston, Louisiana. The funeral service and burial will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 25, 2011, at Salem United Methodist Church, 11793 Hwy 151 in Dubach, Louisiana. Mr. Hammons was born January 24, 1924 in Arcadia, Louisiana to Horace Dan Hammons and Avis Dye Hammons. Wilbur was a devoted husband, loving father, faithful friend, dedicated Christian, and hard worker. His strength of character is only surpassed by his generous heart as many can attest to the influence he had on their lives. Mr. Hammons served his country honorably as a Corporal in the United States Army from 1942 to 1945 and as a WWII POW. Wilbur was a construction equipment mechanic in Co. B 2nd Engineering Combat Battalion and earned numerous decorations and awards for participation in military campaigns throughout Europe including D-Day +3. Mr. Hammons spent most of his life in Arcadia, Louisiana where he married the love of his life, Pearlene M. Hammons, in June 1946. Wilbur worked as a farmer and later as an operating engineer for T.L. James and Lincoln Builders. He was a devoted member of Salem United Methodist Church in Dubach. Wilbur and Pearlene also owned and bred thoroughbred racehorses. After retirement, he spent most days socializing with friends and family, playing cards and dominoes, gardening, and making wine. Wilbur led a full life and achieved many successes but his greatest accomplishment and joy in life were his children. Mr. Hammons is preceded in death by his parents, Dan and Avis Hammons; his wife, Pearlene; his son, Wilbur Hugh Hammons, Jr.; his sister, Mable Rayfield Hammons; and his brothers Byron, John David, and 2 infants. Mr. Hammons is survived by his daughters: Martha H. Young and her husband, James O. Young III, of Arcadia, Louisiana; Linda S. Duffy of Ardmore, Alabama; and Julia Beth Hay and her husband, Charlie E. Hay, of Leesburg, Texas; his sisters: Mavis Spain and her husband, Rev. Clyde Spain, of Decatur, Texas; Yvonne McKinney and her husband, James McKinney, of Florence, Mississippi; his brother Paul Ray Hammons and his wife, Sue Hammons, of Bessmer, North Carolina; 7 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; and 2 great-great grandchildren. Mr. Hammons was passionate about helping others, especially those who struggle to feed their families and veterans wounded in service of their country, as he has personal experiences with both. In honor of their father, his family requests that in lieu of sending flowers, donations be made to either the Foodbank of Northeast Louisiana or to the Wounded Warrior Project. Donations to the Foodbank of Northeast Louisiana may be mailed to 4600 Central Avenue, Monroe, Louisiana 71203 or submitted online via their website, www.matchinggifts.com/fbnela/. Your donation will help to feed those less fortunate. Donations to the Wounded Warrior Project may be mailed to P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516 or submitted online via their website, www.woundedwarriorproject.org. Your donation will enable this organization to help many wounded soldiers and their families.