William Foster Wilburn (Cotton), 81, of Conroe, passed away Friday, May 19, 2023, in The Woodlands. He was surrounded by his family. 

Born December 4, 1941, in Shelbyville, Cotton is the son of Reese Parrot Wilburn and Addie Anderson Wilburn. Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday, June 2, 2023, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center. Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, June 3, 2023, at Watson & Sons Chapel with Bro. Don Windham officiating. Interment will follow at West Hamilton Cemetery in Shelby County. 

Cotton grew up in Goober Hill with seven brothers and sisters.  He attended Shelbyville ISD and graduated in 1960. After graduating, Cotton moved to Nederland, where he raised his family. But, his heart remained in Goober Hill. He and his wife Mary Ann were together for 45 years. He worked as a truck driver for Central Freight Lines, where he retired after 35 years of service.  Cotton spent most of his spare time wolf hunting with his friends Troy, Elvin, and others. He loved Field Trial hunts. He also enjoyed deer hunting. He could spot a deer in the woods a mile away. Cotton loved to listen to country western music. His favorite of all time was George Jones. He loved family gatherings, cooking fish, and barbequing for everyone. He enjoyed laying on the couch and watching football. Cotton loved to collect things, so if you ever needed an appliance, he probably had it. 

Cotton showed love by helping others, always willing to lend a hand to anyone in need. His greatest love was his family. His kids and grandkids were his biggest joy. He always worried about taking care of everyone. He loved kids, and would always make sure they had a little money to buy something. He adored his fur baby, Romo. The day he went to the hospital, he was out walking Romo before he would go to the ER. That’s the type of person he was, putting everyone and everything first before himself. He was an amazing man, and will be forever loved and missed.

  Cotton is survived by his wife Mary Ann Wilburn of Conroe; son William Wilburn and wife Maria of San Angelo, and daughter Erin Wilburn of Conroe; grandkids Michael Wilburn, BB Adaway Jr., Kristopher Adaway, Joseph Adaway, Adam Adaway, Dustyn Wilburn and Jessica Vera; brother Douglas Wilburn; sisters-in-law Susan Lopez and husband Arnold, Renee Montalvo and husband Morris, and Kathy Jones and husband Jack; as well as 12 great grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends that he loved dearly. Cotton was anxiously awaiting the birth of his great granddaughter Bexley. 

He is preceded in death by parents Reece and Addie Wilburn; daughter Laura Adaway; grandson Michael Wilkerling; siblings Jacqueline Wilburn, Maxine Miller, Kenneth Wilburn, Darlene Nall, Bob Wilburn, Billie Sue Smith and Edith Risinger.  Pallbearers will be Russell McGowan, Armand Chauvin, Juan Vera, Dustyn Wilburn, Jonathan McGowan, and Joseph Adaway. To all the nurses and doctors who cared for our husband/dad with kindness during his stay at Houston Methodist Hospital, The Woodlands, we wanted to say Thank You. Our family is sincerely grateful from the bottom of our hearts. Online condolences & tributes can be sent at www.watsonandsonsfh.com