Wilbur Wesley Bunce, 80, of Troutman, N.C., died January 28, 2022. Wilbur was born and raised in Fayetteville, N.C. He was preceded in death by his proud parents, Wesley B. and Ophelia Culbreth Bunce.

Wilbur graduated from Seventy-First High School and continued his studies at Western Carolina and UNC-Pembroke. He married his high school sweetheart, Marjorie Faye Register. Wilbur and Faye were married for 55 years until Faye’s death in November 2016. Wilbur and Faye are survived by their two sons, Mark A and James W Bunce, both residents of Troutman, N.C.

At an early age, Wilbur expressed his love for automobiles. His first place of employment was at Earl Hubbard’s Garage in Fayetteville, N.C. In 1970, Wilbur and his family moved to Southern California. He started his company, Wilbur Bunce Racing/ Wilbur Bunce Engineering, where he spent many years building Formula Atlantic Race Cars, Sports Cars and NASCAR cars. He also managed several successful racing teams.

In 1999, Wilbur and family decided to return to North Carolina. Wilbur continued to work in racing until 2005. After retiring from his successful racing career, he began working at Lowe’s Home Improvement of Troutman. He continued his employment at Lowe’s until his death.

Wilbur was the oldest of seven children. He is survived by his six siblings, Brenda (Albert) Cordova of Monument, Colo., Agnes Harris of Raeford, N.C., Ellen Haynes of Starkville, Miss., Margaret (Marvin) Brickhouse of Creswell, N.C., Wiley (Anne) Bunce of Whispering Pines, N.C., and Annette Bunce of Fayetteville, N.C.

There will be a Celebration of Life service at Troutman Funeral Home, 345 N. Main Street, Troutman, on Friday, February 4, at 2 p.m. Online condolences can be made to the family www.troutmanfuneralhome.com.

Troutman Funeral Home is serving the family.