Wilbur Anthony Bollich, 85, of Nederland, Texas passed away at his home on Thursday, July 4, 2024.
Wilbur was born on July 28,1938, in Mowata, Acadia Parish, Louisiana, to Cecilia Theresa Zaunbrecher and William Joseph Bollich, Jr. He graduated from East Chambers High School on May 24,1957. He served honorably in the United States Army as Private First Class from July 1958 to July 1960 at Fort Lewis, Washington, and then again from October 1961 to August 1962 at Fort Polk, Louisiana.
After his military service, Wilbur attended Lamar University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education in May of 1965, then worked as a Biology and Chemistry teacher. While teaching he realized that his passion was working in Chemistry, so he attained a second Bachelor of Science in Chemistry in August of 1968, and went to work as a chemist in the lab at the Texaco Port Arthur Refinery. He remained at Texaco, eventually becoming the Division Manager of the Crude and Lube Plant. He retired after 31 years with Texaco on January 1, 1999.
During his life, Wilbur was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, and always had a helping hand for his family, friends, and neighbors. He was a parishioner of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church for over 50 years. He enjoyed hunting, woodworking, and designing and building houses. After retiring he especially enjoyed doting on his three grandchildren and traveling with Betty, his beloved wife and best friend of fifty-seven years.
Wilbur is survived by his daughter, Roxann Soliz and her husband, Thomas; his son, Gregory Bollich and his wife, Meredith; his grandchildren, Ryan and Sean Soliz, and Alisa Bollich; his brother, Hallett Bollich; his sister, Mary Ann Bollich and her husband, Robert; and his nephew Cody Bollich and his wife, Kari; as well as many nieces and nephews who he loved very much.
Wilbur is preceded in death by his wife, Betty; his parents, Cecilia and William Bollich; and his brothers, Stanley Bollich, Ronald Bollich, and James Bollich.
A gathering of family and friends will be held at 9:00am on Friday, July 19, 2024 at Melancon~Levingaton Funeral Home in Nederland, Texas, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30am at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Nederland, Texas.