Page 7 - Sanger Herald 1-11-18 E-edition

SANGER HERALD 7A THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 2018
WILBUR PRESTON PLAUGHER
Legacy.com
Wilbur Plaugher passed away on the evening of Tuesday, January 2, 2018, surrounded by his family in Clovis, CA, at the age of 95, from natural causes.
Wilbur was born on March
13, 1922, in Lima, OH. His
family moved to Coalinga,
CA, at the age of five. Even-
tually, they moved to Fresno,
CA, where he graduated
from Roosevelt High School.
At an early age, Wilbur developed a love for horses, cattle, Wil James novels, and all things Western. At the age of 16, he got a job in the High Sierras working cattle and breaking horses. He worked tirelessly through wind, storm, and snow, with frost bite threatening and enjoyed every minute of it.
He discovered the Rodeo at the age of 19. He realized right then and there he'd rather buck off of horses on nice plowed earth, rather than the mountainous rocks. The funny thing is that in his bronc riding days, he rarely bucked off. However the one time he did, it landed him with a broken neck, thereby receiving a medical discharge from his military service of welding ships during World War II. The doctors told him he could never ride again, but after six months of sitting in his mother's house making quilts, he decided this was no life for a young man, and he threw caution to the wind and went back to the rodeo competing in every event and winning big.
With his earnings he began to buy land in the Fresno foot- hills and started his beef cattle business.
He ended up clowning in the rodeo as a result of filling in for an absent clown to protect the bull riders. He loved it and the rest is history.
He began a worldwide career entertaining thousands at a time including the royal family of Great Britain. He dined and met with several presidents.
He loved his life and walked closely with his Lord and Sav- ior Jesus Christ who granted him untold fame and success.
He is survived by his wife Ruth; sons, Randall and Wesley; daughters, Shelly Cotter, and Zoe Pope; nine grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren.
The family will be most honored by your presence at
his Celebration of Life at Peoples Church in Fresno, CA, on Friday, January 12, 2018, at 10:00 a.m., followed by a luncheon reception at Belmont Country Club, 8523 E. Belmont Ave., Fresno, CA 93737.
Remembrances may be made to The Heart of the Horse, 14335 Academy Oaks Lane, Clovis, CA 93619. Wallin's Sanger Funeral Home, 1524 9th Street, Sanger, California (559) 875- 6555.
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