Donald Ray Wilbanks

Funeral service for Mr. Donald R. Wilbanks (89), of Moody, will be Wednesday, Mar. 11, 2026, at 11:00 A.M. at First Methodist Church Trussville. Rev. Steve Strange and Rev. Bob Murray will officiate. Donald’s sons, Michael and Brian Wilbanks, will also offer remarks. Burial will follow in Jefferson Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends on the same day from 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. at the church.

Donald R. Wilbanks, loving husband, father, grandfather, and recently great grandfather, began his educational journey at Phillips High School in Birmingham and later attended the University of Alabama as well as a banking school in Virginia. He spent his career in the financial industry.

Donald kept busy with hobbies and interests, including metal detecting, reading, listening to Elvis records, and mentoring his grandchildren. He and his late wife, Patsy, enjoyed traveling in their retirement and owning a condominium in Panama City Beach where they loved hosting their family and friends. He was also a proud army veteran.

Later in life, Donald enjoyed volunteering in various roles at First Methodist Church Trussville such as the chief coffee maker (even though he didn’t drink coffee) and also as a greeter and an usher where he welcomed many new families into the church. He also attended mission trips and served with the Methodist men. The ROMEO club’s Tuesday outings was one of his favorite activities.

Donald is preceded in death by his wife of fifty-two years, Patsy Wright Wilbanks, and is survived by his sons, Michael (Amanda) and Brian (Andi), and brother, Herbert (Carol), along with his adored grandchildren Taylor (Katie), Samuel, John Daniel, and Ella Kate, and great grandson Arthur. He was also preceded in death by his oldest brother, Billy.

Those who knew Donald best would easily describe him as quick witted and selfless. He had a unique ability to bring people together with a quick remark and his great ability to make you laugh at yourself. As we say goodbye to this great man, we celebrate an extraordinary life where he constantly put his family first.