James E. Wibby, 89, of Traverse City, passed away on February 13, 2014. Jim was born in Detroit on November 7, 1924 and married Betty on September 11, 1948. She preceded him in death on June 18, 2004. Jim was a proud WW II combat infantryman serving 123 days of continuous combat as part of the 104th Infantry Division (Timberwolves) before being wounded on February 23, 1945 and eventually returned to the United States. He was decorated with a Purple Heart and two Bronze Stars. He was a member of Chapter 23 of the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge and was grateful for the community's honoring of him and his fellow vets during the Cherry Festival parades.

After the war, Jim graduated from Wayne State University in 1948 and began a 38 year career in banking. His passion was helping small businesses. Jim was a member the 47th class of the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School. During his banking career he served in executive positions at Manufacturers National Bank in Detroit and as President of Metropolitan National Bank in Farmington, MI. He was a founding director and past president of the Michigan Community Bankers Association and was an instructor at Michigan Bankers Association and American Bankers Association seminars.

Jim and Betty were proud parents of 2 sons Jim (Sandy) of Petoskey, Chuck (Phyllis) of Boulder, CO; 4 grandchildren Katie (Nick) of Traverse City, Brian (Beth) of Marquette, Kyle of Orleans, MA, and Ryan of Boulder, CO; and 3 great grandchildren Mateo, Juniper and Kahlil of Marquette. Jim was a man of many talents including being a Master Gardener, a builder and instructor of ornamental water gardening at Northwestern Michigan College, an accomplished woodworker and a volunteer at many Traverse City organizations. He was a lifelong hockey fan; from having Red Wing season tickets to watching his sons and grandsons play; to skating with Gordie Howe at Howe Arena.

Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held February 21st at 3 pm with visitation one hour prior at Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral Home. Our parent's wish was to be interned together at Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you take a vet out to lunch or dinner in his honor, make a donation to your favorite charity that supports our veterans or that you do a day of volunteer service in your community in Jim's name.