Wilburn Royal, 73, of Midwest City, began his journey to be with the Lord on Jan. 25, 1994 surrounded by his wife, Betty and his loving and devoted family. Born on Oct. 28, 1920 in Norman, Ok., Wilburn was the oldest of five sons born to Mary Elizabeth and Royal Parton Hagood. After growing up in Norman and attending Norman High, he left to join the Army on Nov. 2, 1939, where he served his country for the next six years. Involved in ground missions in France, Italy and Germany, Wilburn's mil itary service was highlighted by an outstanding record that included the Purple Heart and the involvement in the liberation of the German death camp, Dauchau. After the war, Wilburn returned to Okla. where he began his civil service career of 32 years at Tinker AFB as an Inventory Management Specialist. It was at this time that Wilburn met Erma "Jeanne" Hagood, whom he married on Oct. 20, 1945. Wilburn and Jeanne made their home in MWC, where they raised two sons and enjoyed a wonderful marriage together for the next 45 years. It was a union that was marked by a devoted love to each other in the deepest sense and lasted until Jeanne's death on July 8, 1991. Wilburn was blessed again when he met his second wife, Elizabeth "Betty" Freeman, whom he married on Nov. 14, 1992, a marriage that brought renewed meaning to his life. Wilburn was active in many activities throughout his life, but the main ingredients to his happiness centered on his family, the church family at Country Estates Baptist Church, and the many friends and associates he had made over the years, followed very closely with a healthy dose of O.U. football, fishing and bowling. A spiritual and nurturing Father, Grandfather and Brother, Wilburn will be deeply missed by his sons, Mark Shane Hagood of Miami Beach, Fl. and Gary Michael Hagood of Tulsa, Ok.; his "special" daughter-in-law, Linda Cooper Hagood and their children, Alicia Bethany and Garrett Shane Hagood; his brothers, Thomas Hagood of Norman, Ok., Edward Hagood of Neosho, Missour i, Robert of Neosho, Missouri and Jerry Slusher of Macon, Georgia. Wilburn will always be remembered by his family and friends as a gentle, kind man with the kind of compassion and understanding that is needed in the world today. We will miss him dearly. Services will be 10:00 a.m. Friday at Country Estates Baptist Church with Pastor Gary Mac Manamy officiating.