Dr. Wilbur Alfred Neil was born October 31, 1934 and died February 4, 2017.  He lived in Ashville, New York, attended Chautauqua Elementary and Secondary school.  He was Methodist and active in all school sports.  He received many honors as years progressed.  He graduated from Allegheny University, majored in history and received wonderful job opportunities.  He chose Jones and Laughlin Steel and continued further training and advancement.  When receiving notice from military draft, he chose fighter pilot training and a four year enlistment.  He was an exceptional fighter pilot for the U.S.  Air Force and later the Reserves.  He departed after 4 years and returned to Jones and Laughlin Steel.  He worked in Columbus, Ohio and progressed to Dayton, Ohio.  The office work was not stimulating enough for him, and so further education in medicine became his goal.  At age 29, he began his freshman year at Case Western Reserve School of Medicine and completed his Ophthalmology residence at Ohio State University.  He and Merry Lee Obetz, director of radiology met at Emory Hospital, Delaware, Ohio and were married three years later.  They worked in Sault Saint Marie, Michigan and then Bradford, Pennsylvania.  Their son, Daniel Neil, was born September 19, 1978.  They moved to Terre Haute, Indiana and proceeded to 30 years of Ophthalmology, raising family and wonderful life.  There were many activities including flying, skiing, golf, wine, literature, music, sports cars, traveling, farming, photography and crew.  In 2000, he bought a lovely home on Sanibel Island, Florida.  There were 17 years of lovely retirement.  Activities at Sanctuary Country Club, Captiva Island Yacht Club and Rotary are recent endeavors.  Wil continues his close relationship with Iowa cousins and farming.  His father Ashton S. Neil and mother, Ada Johnson Neil are lasting.  His brother Duane Neil and brother in law Robin R. Obetz are admired.     His love of his Ferrari Daytona (1972) remains forever. 

A “Joy of Life Celebration” at Sanctuary Golf Club is Thursday, March 30, 2017, 4-7 P.M.  His internment is Obetz Plot, Columbus, Ohio in July.

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