Wilburn K. Lance

Wilburn K. Lance passed away suddenly at Northside Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida on October 22, 2023. A week after his 65th year.

The son of U.S. military Veteran Douglas K. Lance and German native Helga Lance (Deceased), Wilburn was born in Germany where he lived until age 2. His early childhood years were spent traveling around the world with his military family until his parents settled with him and his sister Christine Bryan in Tacoma, WA.

Wilburn earned a degree in Electrical Engineering from Washington State University in 1983. He led a very successful career, working for over 40 years. The last two decades, he spent time working for the US Department of Defense, where he was decorated for his work in various overseas missions. He also worked for one of the world’s largest oil producers, and a local engineering company. He was a lead engineer, receiving recognition for his superb performance in every organization where he worked. Wilburn was constantly contacted by headhunters attracted by his impressive international career, his outstanding qualifications, and reputation.

Wilburn’s quality of work, values, and principles were widely known and continually recognized. He was a humble, loyal and dedicated employee, going above and beyond his duties to meet the needs of his clients. His employers recognized his work, awarding him constant promotions and special rewards. Wilburn was always learning and had a drive to pursue continued education. He earned and maintained his engineering licenses and certifications in many states. He was always at the top of his game by studying and preparing himself with downstream knowledge.

Wilburn was an exceptional man. A human being with a heart of gold. He had the utmost respect and love for his parents Douglas and Helga. After returning from his work overseas, he started working locally and dedicated most of his time caring for his mother until her last day on October 9, 2022. After Helga passed, Wilburn continued caring for his father. He was his supportive companion. He loved his sister Christine and his nephews, his aunt Betty and his life given mother Cleta.

Wilburn married Yris Lance in Miami, Florida in 2003. They moved to WA where he helped raise his two stepdaughters Anakarina and Diana Lance as his own. Regardless of their legal separation, Wilburn and Yris always supported each other and were authentic best friends for over 20 years. They genuinely loved and protected each other in sickness and health. Wilburn never missed important events including birthdays and graduations. He traveled across continents, making time to be present for his family in every possible way.

Wilburn was preparing to attend his daughter Diana’s College of Dentistry white coat ceremony and to walk Anakarina down the aisle to be married to her fiancé Joseph McFadden. He was a proud and loving father and supportive partner to Yris.

Wilburn enjoyed taking his best friend Yris and his daughters Anakarina and Diana to elegant upscale locations. He loved swimming, drinking martinis, eating gourmet food, dark chocolate cake, and traveling with his family. In the summer of 2023, Wilburn along with Diana and Yris earned his scuba diving certification. He was planning on attending upcoming scuba diving trips with Yris and their family.

Wilburn was looking forward to spending hot summer Florida months in the PNW and cold PNW winters in Tampa, Florida. He enjoyed having weekly video calls with Diana, Anakarina, Joseph and Yris to share about their days, discuss possible actions to address work and other challenges, and to make plans for their future adventures.

Wilburn’s family deeply grieve his absence. Preceded by his mother Helga, Wilburn is outlived by his father Douglas, aunt Betty Griffin, sister Christine and her sons, daughters Anakarina and Diana and his best friend and forever love, Yris.