Wilbert Lee Speight

Wilbert L. Speight, 84, of Manhattan, Kansas entered his rest on October 24, 2024, at Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan.

Wilbert was born November 30, 1939, in Farmville, North Carolina the son of John and Mary Speight.

He graduated from H.B. Suggs High School. He moved to Buffalo, New York and started his training to become an automobile mechanic. Later he became a business owner by purchasing his own automobile/body shop. In 1967, he was drafted as a paratrooper with the United States Army. After two years in the Army, he was honorably discharged. He returned to his business in New York.

On June 16, 1960, he married Vernia Smith. From that union, in 1964, their daughter Tonia Tuwarne Speight was born. They were divorced in 1969.

On September 3, 1976, he married Elizabeth LaCour. From that union, in 1978, their son Wilbert (Will) Lee Speight, Jr. was born. They were divorced in 1989.

On January 6, 1990, he married Edna Martin. From that union, he became the stepfather to three stepsons, Martin (Marty) Martin, James Martin and Dr. Jason Martin, Sr. His wife Edna entered her eternal rest on April 29, 2017.

In 1988, Wilbert became a member of the Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church in Buffalo where he became a Deacon. For ten years, Deacon Speight fed and ministered to the homeless teaching them about the goodness of the Lord. Deacon Speight funded all the food with his own resources. Wilbert and Edna were great supporters of the church. He did a lot of maintenance at the church because of his mechanical abilities. He also took a genuine interest with the young people. Wilbert was also a superb cook. He was the Bar-B-Que King Master from North Carolina. The church family craved his chopped Bar-B-Que sandwiches. People from all around knew Wilbert to be a good storyteller. He was also a good dresser.

In 2003, he moved to Washington. In Washington, he opened Wilbert’s B-B-Q Station. North Carolina style barbecue was a success in Marysville, Washington. He later joined Second Baptist Church and became good friends with then Pastor Charlie Jackson. Pastor Jackson shared that he was instrumental with starting the Kitchen Ministry at Second Baptist. Deacon Speight had a true gift of visiting with people and according to Pastor Jackson, he never met a stranger. Deacon Speight was part of the first graduating class of the International Seminary of Second Baptist. With this program, the vision was to be successful with your ministry. He always had a desire to learn, to serve the Lord and to be a better Deacon.

He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Tonia and Ray Walker of Manhattan, KS; son Wilbert Speight Jr. of Jonesboro, GA; stepsons Marty and James Martin of Buffalo, NY and Dr. Jason Martin Sr. of Gig Harbor, WA; eighteen grandchildren Jacobi Walker of Jonesboro, GA; Charminix Walker-Taylor of Colorado Springs, CO; Brianna Walker of Manhattan, KS; Xavier Speight of Atlanta, GA; Martin Martin II and Troy Martin of Atlanta GA; Olyvia, Monique, Austin, Jazmine and Jeremy Martin of Buffalo, NY; Jason Martin Jr, Tyshaun Martin, Jacob Martin, Isaac Martin, Micah Martin, Jewel Martin and Diamond Bartleson of Seattle, WA; nine great grandchildren; and his many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was also preceded in death by his sister Joan Brewer.

Per his request, Deacon Speight has been cremated. A memorial service and celebration of life service will be held Saturday, November 16, 2024, at 2:00 p.m., Pentecostal Church of Jesus Christ in Junction City, with Bishop William Ocean officiating.