William "Lee" Wiltbank

William “Lee” Wiltbank died May 17, 2026 in Gainesville. Lee was born in Las Cruces, NM on June 7, 1948 and lived in New Mexico until moving with his family to San Jose, Costa Rica in 1959 and then Gainesville, FL in 1964.

Lee graduated from Gainesville High School in 1966 and the University of Florida in 1970. He then enlisted in the U. S. Army. After his military service he returned to UF, where he earned his graduate degrees. Lee joined the U. S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, Atlanta, GA, in 1975 and worked there until retiring in 2003.

In 2006, Lee and his wife, Carol, moved to High Springs. In retirement he greatly enjoyed tennis, traveling and gardening. Lee was a wonderful friend and sought relationships everywhere he went. He will be greatly missed.

Lee was preceded in death by his parents, William and Joyce Wiltbank and brothers-in-law, Julio Mateo and Richard Wright. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Carol; brother Kelley Wiltbank (Toni), Hampden, ME; sisters Raquel Wiltbank-Mateo, Truth or Consequences, NM; Thalia Fisher (Steve), Miromar Lakes, FL; Laurel Wiltbank, Miromar Lakes, FL; brother-in-law William Wright (Pat), Fort Myers, FL and many nieces and nephews.