Edwin Lee Wilbanks, age 84, was promoted to his eternal home in Heaven on April 13, 2024. Edwin grew up in a loving home in Bartlett, Tennessee where he excelled in sports and fishing. He graduated from Bartlett High School and entered the United States Air Force where he served for four years. After his basic training, he was stationed in Smyrna, Tennessee where he continued his dating relationship with Eleanor Wirt until they married on December 25, 1958, in Marion, Arkansas. They were blessed with the birth of two baby girls, Deborah in 1959 and Lori Lynn in 1961. Then the family moved to Arlington, Tennessee and Edwin was employed by DuPont where he worked for 34 years.

Eleanor, Debbie and Lori will always cherish countless sweet memories of Ed taking them and friends fishing, water skiing, drive -in movies, swimming at Maywood, church events, gospel singings and quartet conventions. Every summer, he took his family and friends to vacation on Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs, Arkansas and taught them all how to water ski.

Ed and Eleanor ministered to others while singing in a group called The Goodtime Gospel Singers. His girls claim that he was their Hero and was a true hero as he saved many lives with his fast thinking and fearless heart. He was small in stature but strong as Goliath in all his many accomplishments.

Edwin had a knack for making everyone feel like they were family. His family and "adopted into the family" members were always welcome in his home. He was called Boy, Ed, Creek Bank, Crappie King, Fast Eddie, Ditty, Pop, Poppa, Uncle Ed, and Edameena.

Waiting at the door of Heaven to greet him were his parents, Lee and Ethel Wilbanks; (Ethel Winnett) ;  His parents in love, Elmer and Pearl Wirt; (Pearl Tate); Grandson, Chase Dunlap; Granddaughter,  Lauren Dunlap Kuehn and two heroes in the faith and both fellow gospel singers, Leon Moss and Conley Dunlap, father of his son in love, Con Dunlap.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Eleanor Wirt Wilbanks; daughter,  Deborah Dunlap (Conley Dunlap); daughter,  Lori McDaniel (John McDaniel); 5 Grandchildren; 20 Great Grandchildren, Sister, Mary Richardson (Albert Richardson); 3 Nephews; 3 Nieces and many others. His CELEBRATION OF LIFE is on April 18, 2024 at Forest Hill East, Whitten Road. Visitation at 1:00 p.m., Service at 2:00 p.m. with Interment at the Arlington, Tennessee Cemetery

In lieu of flowers to give in honor of Ed the family has chosen:

Warrior Center

642 Semmes Street

Memphis, Tennesse

Serenity Recovery Center

1091 Poplar Avenue

Memphis, Tennessee

Livestream Funeral Service Link: https://www.econdolence.com/c562mbi5