Wilbur A. Smith

AUBURN – Wilbur A. Smith, 96, a resident of Leeds, passed away on Thursday, May 15, 2025, in Auburn. He was born Jan. 16, 1929, in Monmouth, the son of Benjamin Smith and Leola (Curtis) Smith. He attended schools in Monmouth.

On April 19, 1952, in Leeds he married Delores F. Burnham. They were married for 67 years before she passed away in 2019. He worked for the Town of Monmouth and the State of Maine, Murphy Brothers, Highmoor Farms, Livermore Shoe, Globe Albany/Tex-Tech for 30 years and after retirement, he worked part time for Mr. Market and Hannaford, bagging groceries in Winthrop.

Wilbur and his wife loved gardening, and Wilbur would enter some of his produce at the Monmouth Fair and took home several winning ribbons. Wilbur enjoyed many hours of training his steers. Then he would take the steers to the Monmouth Fair to show how well they obeyed his commands. He had cows and would make butter to sell. During the summer he would show his steers at many of the fairs. His last fair would be Fryeburg Fair, and he would participate in the big parade. He also enjoyed hunting. He harvested 40-50 deer and kept the freezer full. He even got a couple that were over 200 lbs. He also had pigs and always had self-grown meat on the table. He would also help his wife with her passion for gladiolas; many people knew her as the “The Glad Lady.” On September 8, 2023, he was presented with the Boston Post Cane in recognition of his status as Leeds’s oldest citizen.

He is survived by his stepson, Melvin Burnham and his wife Maribeth of Leeds; two step-grandsons, Darren Burnham and his wife Linda, Warren Burnham and his fiancé Penny, a step-granddaughter, Kathi Burnham; eight great-step grandchildren, and several great-great-step grandchildren; two sisters, Ruth Travers, Nellie Mae Rolfe and husband Raymond; and many nieces, and nephews.

Wilbur was predeceased by his parents; his loving wife, Delories F. Smith; two brothers, Harry and Lewis Smith, three sisters, Irene Bowden, Ida Crocker, and Pauline Bragdon, a half-brother, Clinton Smith, a half-sister, Helen Ridlon.

At Wilbur’s request there will be no services. Arrangements by BRAGDON-FINLEY FUNERAL HOME, 707 Main Street, Monmouth, Maine.

Messages of condolences may be made to: www: finleyfuneralhome.com.