Emmett Boyd Wilbanks

Emmett Boyd Wilbanks, 77, of Commerce, died Nov. 24 at home with his family by his side. He was born Dec. 2, 1933 in Linden, Texas, to Guy and Ellen Wilbanks. He was a member of First Baptist Church, Commerce, and the Adult III Men's Sunday School class. He was a 32nd Degree Mason and a Shriner. He retired from Cotton Belt Railroad where he was a brakeman. He was an avid fisherman, hunter and sportsman.
In particular, he lived and loved football and played with some of the big league names of the times (before they became famous!). He graduated from Linden High School in 1952 and was named to All-District twice and All-State teams while playing for the Tigers. He then joined the Air Force and played for the Rhine Maine Rockets in Germany, where he earned the Outstanding Lineman trophy. He attended Texarkana Junior College and played for the Texarkana Bulldogs and was named the Junior College Little All American and named "one of the best linemen in Texas" by the Dallas Morning News. He finished out his college football career with the East Texas State College Lions (now Texas A&M-Commerce). He played college football with fellow Lions Jon Gilliam (played in first Super Bowl for the Kansas City Chiefs); and Durwood Merrill (major league baseball umpire).
In the mid 1960s, he, along with Richard Colby and Jim Chambers bought the franchise and founded the Texarkana Titans Semi-pro football team, where he continued to play as center and guard for several years.
Football was not his only sport of choice, he also played first base and catcher for Day & Zimmerman's (D&Z) men's fast-pitch softball in the 1960s. He later umpired boy's little league, pony league, high school and college baseball with the Southern Umpire's Baseball Association in and around Texarkana, well into the 1980s, along with former football teammate Durwood Merrill.
He is survived by his wife, Ann Wilbanks. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in August 2010. He is also survived by his children: Kim and Jon Cartier of Greenville, Texas; Kevin Wilbanks of Dallas; Chris and Jody McCollom of Double Oak, Texas; and Pennye West-Laflore of Mesquite, Texas. Grandchildren: Alex Cartier of Greenville; K.C and Laura West of Forney, Texas; C.J. and Jill West of Mesquite, Texas; and Chance West of Mesquite, Texas. Great-grandchildren: K.C., Kayle and Colby West of Forney; Tina and Logan West of Mesquite. Sisters: Mildred "Jack" Surratt and Margie Elliott of Linden, Texas; and Myrtle Sample of Pittsburg, Texas. Numerous nieces and nephews and other relatives.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Guy and Ellen Wilbanks; three brothers: Welton Wilbanks, Guy Edward Wilbanks and Oneal Wilbanks; and two sisters: Frances Wilbanks and Elizabeth Vaughan.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 27 at First Baptist Church, Commerce, with the Rev. Johnnie Henderson and the Rev. Michael Ryer officiating. Burial will be in Rosemound Cemetery in Commerce. Family will receive friends at 1 p.m.prior to the services at the church on Sunday.
Pallbearers are nephews from East Texas: Guy J. Wilbanks, Austin Wilbanks, Todd Elliott, Tracey Elliott, Greg Boles, Gary Boles, Darrell Vaughan, and Dale Sample.
Honorary pallbearers are a group of fishermen from Commerce: Ron Johnson, Ernest Hawkins, James Rhodes, Roger Arnold and Larry Towne.