Wilburn "Tommy" Speed

July 17, 1943 - December 20, 2013

Mr. Wilburn “Tommy” Speed, age 70, and a resident of Columbia, passed away Friday, December 20, 2013 at NHC Hillview.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 4, 2014 from 1:00 – 3:00 PM at Heritage Funeral Home, and a memorial service will follow at 3:00 PM.
Heritage Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Born in Maury County, Tennessee on July 17, 1943 Tommy was the son of the late Wilburn Thomas and Eulalah Rodgers Speed.

Tommy held a Commercial and Instructors Pilot's License through the Federal Aviation Administration and a Bachelors Degree from Winona State University in Winona, Minnesota. He was a member of the Quiet Birdmen Organization, an organization of aviators and a past member of the Jaycees and Elks of Columbia. He loved boating, flying, snow skiing, and was a Green Bay Packers fan.

Tommy was Chief Pilot for Northern Engraving Corp in La Crosse, Wisconsin until his retirement in 1992. After retirement, he instructed pilots for Gulfstream and Citation aircraft recertification for CAE in Dallas, TX. He was always the life of a party and will be remembered by all who knew him. He was known loving as “Cappy” to his grandchildren, a loving father and respected aviator.

Tommy left behind to cherish his memory two sons: Wilburn Thomas Speed, III in Philadelphia, PA and Justin “Bubba” (Amy) Speed of McFarland, WI.; daughter: Lauri Speed of Kings Mountain, NC.; sister: Delilah Speed of Columbia, TN.; two grandchildren: Jackson Speed and Stella Speed; aunt: Jewel Rodgers Latta and numerous loving cousins.

You may share condolences with the family at the top of this page.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or their site on-line at www.stjude.org.