of Conway, AR

February 8, 1933 - September 14, 2025

GORDON GENE WILBOURN, aged 92, of Conway, Arkansas, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 14, surrounded by his family. He was born on February 8, 1933, to Walter Blann and Maude Moore Wilbourn. Gene grew up in Little Rock and was a 1950 graduate of Little Rock High School and a 1954 graduate of Hendrix College. He received a master's degree from Arkansas State Teachers College. While at Hendrix, he lettered in football and basketball, serving as co-captain of the basketball Warriors and receiving All-AIC honorable mention. Most importantly, while at Hendrix, he met the love of his life, Meredith Miller. They were married in 1955 and made their home in Conway, Arkansas, where they raised their children, Gordon and Melanie. They recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary.

Gene began his coaching career in 1954 with stints at Clinton, Arkansas, and Westside Junior High School in Little Rock, where his basketball and track teams earned Big 12 State Championships, and his football team, a city championship. In 1956, he returned to Hendrix, where he assisted in basketball and track before becoming the head basketball coach in 1957. His 1959 basketball Warriors won the State AAU Championship. Gene also served as golf coach and Director of Admissions from 1960 to 1970. He was inducted into the Hendrix College Sports Hall of Honor in 2003.

In 1971, Gene began a career spanning more than 30 years at Stephens Inc., where he rose to the position of Senior Vice President and Manager of Fixed Income, Underwriting and Sales. While at Stephens, Gene helped finance public projects throughout the southeast, including the New Orleans Superdome.

Gene served on the Baptist Health Foundation Board of Trustees as President in 1995 and Chairman in 1996, on the Board of Conway Corporation from 1988-1995, including a term as Chair. He was a member of Conway First United Methodist Church for nearly 70 years and served in many leadership positions.

Gene was a sports fan and avid golfer throughout his life, playing in many tournaments with his son, Gordon, and many friends. For a number of years, he officiated high school basketball and football games around the state. In his retirement, he became a Master Gardener. He deeply loved his family and cherished every moment spent with them. One of his greatest joys in life was supporting his grandchildren. He was their biggest fan and proudest encourager. He rarely missed a chance to be present at their games, performances, graduations and milestones, always beaming with pride at their accomplishments. Along with his love, he shared a quick wit and a sense of humor that he passed down to his children and grandchildren, leaving behind laughter and memories that will be treasured forever.

He is survived by his wife, Meredith; his son, Gordon Wilbourn (Penny); his daughter, Melanie Church; his grandchildren, Anna Wilbourn (Emma), Miller Wilbourn, Will Church (Mallory), Brooke Church, and Rachel Wilbourn; and his niece, Anne Wilbourn Glover. He was predeceased by his parents, his brothers, Walter Blann Wilbourn, Jr., and Wallace Wilbourn, and his granddaughter, Lauren Anne Church.

A Celebration of Life will be held at First United Methodist Church in Conway, Arkansas, on Saturday, September 20th, at 3:00 p.m., with a reception to follow the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to First United Methodist Church of Conway or to Hendrix College.

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-McNutt Funeral Home
650 Central Landing Blvd.
Conway, AR  72032
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com