Wilbur Earl Purvis

Wilbur Earl Purvis went home to be with the Lord on February 9, 2026, with his beloved wife of 71 years by his side.

Wilbur was born on April 12, 1934, in Springfield, Missouri, to Earl and Delpha Purvis. He was the youngest of six children. At three years old, his family moved to Mentone, California, where he would spend the rest of his life building a legacy that will live on for generations.

He attended Crafton Elementary, Redlands Junior High, and Redlands High School. Not long after, he married the love of his life, June and raised three children together.

Wilbur served in the Air Force Reserve and worked at Norton Air Force Base and March Air Force Base. From the time he was young, he had a natural gift for mechanics and a love of fixing engines. In 1963, he turned that passion into Wilbur’s Outboard Motor Repair, later known as Wilbur’s Outdoor Power Equipment. Side by side Wilbur and June owned and operated the business for over six decades, serving their community together until its closing in October 2025.

Wilbur was preceded in death by his parents, four siblings, his beloved son, Thomas E. Purvis, and his son-in-law, Harry Leest.

He leaves behind his devoted wife, June; his daughters, Diana Leest and Beverly (Dale) Snyder; his sister, Bernice; eight grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; and three great-great grandchildren.

His hands built and repaired many things in this life — but his greatest work was the family he loved so deeply. He was an amazing husband, father, and grandpa/papa. He will be profoundly missed and forever remembered in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.

Services will be held at Emmerson-Bartlett Memorial Chapel 703 Brookside Ave. Redlands, CA 92373 February 28th, 2026 at 11am