Wilton Vander Mabry

Wilton Vander Mabry

November 22, 1935 – January 26, 2026

Wilton Mabry passed away on Monday, January 26, 2026 in Stephenville, TX. He was born on November 22, 1935 in Decatur, TX to Clifford Ancil and Catherine Joyce (Cunningham) Mabry. He grew up in Decatur and a few years after high school, he joined the US Navy. He served from 1956 – 1960 as a cook and gun loader on the USS Braine, a naval destroyer that escorted aircraft carriers. He was honorably discharged as an E4 in March of 1962 after 2 years in the Navy Reserves.

In April of 1960, he was introduced through a mutual friend to Kay Fillmore of Arlington. They married on August 12, 1960 and started their married life in Arlington. Together they had four children, Phil, Dale, Doug and Allison.

Wilton became a Christian at an early age. He faithfully walked with the Lord in service to Him and was a deacon in several churches that he and his family attended. He was not shy about sharing the Gospel and praying for people.

Wilton was a hard worker and generous provider for his loved ones. He worked many years as a salesman for Gerber, then as a representative for Hall-Tisdale. In 1981, his family transferred to Mt. Pleasant where he took a salesman position with Grocery Supply Company. The highlight of his career came in 1993 when he and Kay purchased a farm near Eastland, TX where he raised cattle for 20 years. He also went briefly back to work in the sales industry for CD Harnett. When farm life came to an end, he and Kay relocated to Stephenville, TX.

Wilton will be remembered for his patriotism, his enjoyment of food (cooking and eating!), his love of the outdoors, gardening, hunting and fishing, a good game of dominoes, 42 or cribbage, the Dallas Cowboys, the Texas Rangers, his deep love for his family and his faithful walk with the Lord. He was the best cheerleader and biggest supporter of whatever was going on in the lives of his loved ones.

He was preceded in death by his parents Clifford and Catherine Mabry, his sister DeLores Ann and her husband Jerry Goff.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years Kay Mabry of Stephenville, his children Phil (Melissa) Mabry of Stephenville, Dale (Vickie) Mabry of Stephenville, Dr. Doug Mabry of Gatesville, and Allison (Chad) Rogers of Baird. His pride and joy were his 10 grandchildren – Lensie (Drew) Walker, Andrew (Tanner) Mabry, Matt (Rachel) Mabry, Ashley (Jake) Evans, Hannah (JW) Weiss, Amy, Ben & Kayla Mabry, and Thomas and Henry Rogers. He was also blessed with 12 great-grandchildren: Addison, Grant, Nora, Laykin, Heston, Brekyn, Lincoln, Lucy, Ella, Harlan, John and Ezra. He is also survived by nephews Bobby (Angela), Larry & Randy Goff, Rick Bentley and Wes Fillmore, and niece Laurie Bentley. He also had several cousins, great nieces and nephews and a multitude of friends who meant so much to him.

Visitation will be Monday, February 2 from 6 – 8 p.m. at Stephenville Funeral Home. His graveside service will be Tuesday, February 3 at 10 a.m. at East Memorial Cemetery in Stephenville.

Donations in his memory can be made to Choices Clinic or Valley Grove Baptist Church, both in Stephenville, TX.