Wilbur Phillip Heist Jr.

Wilbur Phillip Heist Jr., 78, of Butler passed away on Friday, April 19, 2024. He was born in Butler on April 25, 1945 to the late Dorothy (Brown) and Wilbur Heist Sr. The 1963 graduate of Butler High School was inspired by the Vietnam conflict and he immediately joined the Navy. Phil served as an E-4 Petty Officer on the U.S.S Kitty Hawk. He was a Navy Airport Control Operator until his honorable discharge in 1969. In 1969 Phil traveled west to California as he enrolled in Chaffey College to study journalism. He was baptized and occasionally attended St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church. Phil learned multiple instruments in his young life such as the trumpet, baritone, and French horn; the epitome of his High School Band career was the Drum Major of 1962-1963. Phil was employed as a bartender and manager at the Elks Club and Proprietor of JeRon’s Gallery and Custom Frames. He enjoyed golf and fishing. Bowling was a family tradition in the Heist home and still is, Phil’s mom, dad, wife, children and grandchildren have all bowled in league bowling. He loved his five grandkids and never missed a recital, event or anything to see them. Phil was the beloved husband of Barbara (Milburn) Heist since their marriage on February 14, 1971; father of Gregory and Crystal Heist; grandfather of Mercedes Belch, Serenity Ringler, Sam Heist, Seth Heist, and Gabrielle Heist. Services will be held privately through the SPENCER D. GEIBEL FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, 140 NEW CASTLE RD. BUTLER, PA 16001. WWW.SPENCERDGEIBEL.COM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the VA.