Dr. Wilburn Williams Ottmers
Date of Birth: June 13, 1940 | Date of Death: September 24, 2012
Dr. Wilburn Williams Ottmers passed away in Houston on Monday, September 24, 2012, at the age of 72 after a courageous battle with cancer. The son of the late Delbert Max Ottmers and the late Selma Wuest Ottmers, Wilburn was born on June 13, 1940, and was
raised in San Marcos, Texas. After graduating from San Marcos High School, he received a BS and MA in chemistry from Southwest Texas State University, and a PhD in chemistry from Texas A&M University, College Station.
For 27 years, Wilburn taught chemistry at Laredo Community College to thousands of students. Always concerned about students and their understanding of chemistry, his encouragement led many to continue in scientific and medical fields. He was an avid gardener
who enjoyed working in his yard and having a productive vegetable garden and fruit trees. After retiring in 1998, he continued his passion for gardening by completing the Master Gardener program and then served in various organizational capacities. An active
member of the First United Methodist Church in Laredo, he was the church treasurer for 10 years. He loved to watch all kinds of sports and especially enjoyed watching his favorite teams, the Texas Aggies and the San Antonio Spurs.
Wilburn was a loved father and is survived by 4 children, Kathryn Ottmers Kennedy (Craig) of Houston, Becky Ottmers Bird (Mike) of Plano, Dr. Vicky Ottmers of Cibolo, and Michael Ottmers of Falls Church, Virginia. He is also survived by close family friends
Jan Little and Debra Noss; 5 grandchildren, Kaitlyn Kennedy, Kristin Bird, Braden Bird, Madison Bird, and Jonathan Bird. He was also very close to his brother Delbert Ottmers (Dianne) of Leander, a sister Junette Micks (Ed) of Cedar Park, and numerous nieces
and nephews.
To celebrate Wilburn’s life, a visitation will be held on Friday, Sept. 28, from 5 to 7 pm with a Methodist service Saturday, Sept. 29, 10 am, both at Pennington Funeral Chapel, 323 North Comanche, San Marcos, TX, (512) 353-4311. In lieu of flowers, memorial
donations may be made to the Sanctuary Restoration Fund at the First United Methodist Church San Marcos TX, 129 W. Hutchinson, San Marcos TX 78666; or the Texas A&M Foundation, 401 George Bush Drive, College Station TX 77840.