Wilbert Eugene Harter

On April 5, 2021, Wilbert Eugene Harter of Billings, passed away from illness in his home of over 40 years as he had wished. Each hand was being held after several visits from loved ones and friends over several days. He was a proud 88 years old.
Harter was born on July 9, 1932, in Billings. He was number 13 of 14 children born to the late Leo and Laura (Arndt) Harter. He is preceded in death by all of them except his younger brother, Robert (Bob) Harter of Billings.
Harter was in the active Army from 1953 to 1955, then completed his eight years of service with the Army Reserve Missouri District. He was employed at Syntex in Verona, from 1956 to 1992 when he retired to care for his wife during her illness. He also managed 40 acres in Billings through many of those years and after retirement raising beef cattle.
Harter married Vivian Burkey of Billings on Sept. 25, 1959, in Billings. They were married for 33 years until she passed away from illness on May 15, 1993. They lived in Billings, throughout their entire marriage.
Wilb and Vivian had six children. His children are the late Patty Laney who married Stan Laney also from Billings. Patty and Stan gave him three grandchildren. Terry Harter is the second child residing in Republic who gave him two grandchildren. The third child is Penny Harter married to Haki Ismajli from Kosovo. The fourth child is David Scott Harter who married Kristine Nitzsche from Blue Springs who gave him two grandchildren. His fifth child is Tracey Harter of Nixa who gave him two grandchildren. His last child is Stan Harter ,who with Valerie Harter gave him two grandchildren.
He was an uncle to Chrissy Lawson of Marionville, Carmen Wallace of Republic, and Jennifer Machin of Springfield.