Wilburn was born in Verden, Oklahoma on April 8, 1929 to George Andrew and Lois Lola (Black) Dewey.

He attended school in Verden and Eagle City, and graduated from Eagle City High School as valedictorian. After getting out of the Army in 1949, he moved to Enid and began his career as a tilesetter with Enid Tile and Marble. After thirteen years, he started his own company, the Dewey Tile Company, and worked at this until he retired in 1995. You cannot go into many buildings in downtown Enid without seeing his work. He also did all of the brickwork on the corners of downtown and around Convention Hall. He was renowned as a craftsman and was in great demand by the builders of Enid and the surrounding area. In addition to tilework, he built many custom homes in Enid during the seventies and eighties. His interests included flying, and especially attending mountain man rendezvous’ with his very close friends.

Wilburn is survived by his three sons, David Dewey and wife Lisa of Billings, MT, Richard Dewey of Enid, and Roger Dewey of Enid. He has three grandchildren, Emily Dewey, Alison Dewey and Elliot Dewey of Billings, MT. Wilburn died peacefully at home while surrounded by his loving friends and family.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made through the funeral home to Hospice Circle of Love.