Bilbo
Wes Bilbo was a man characterized by devotion. Devotion to what he believed in — his family, friends and work — and committed to being the best he could be, no matter what he was doing.
As his fraternity brother Tyler Ross put it, “I have never met anyone so genuinely dedicated to everyone in his life.”
Last Wednesday, Wesley Scott Bilbo was killed in a one-car accident on Lee Road 217 near Notasulga. Corporal Norred with the Alabama State Troopers confirmed the time and circumstances of the accident and said the situation is still being investigated. A friend riding with Bilbo was not seriously injured.
Bilbo was born in Lafayette, La., but was a resident of Daphne and a 2005 graduate of Daphne High School.
At Auburn, Bilbo was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and a junior in Auburn’s building science program.
This summer, Bilbo was interning for a company in Mobile and had come back to Auburn for a couple days.
Bilbo was involved in renovations of his fraternity house, and part of his reason for his coming through Auburn was to check on the state of the renovations.
Ryan Appleton, secretary of Phi Kappa Alpha, described Bilbo’s dedication to his friends.
“As a brother, he was the epitome of what we like to think it means to be a Pike,” Appleton said. “He put in an unbelievable amount of work in around the house, just to keep the place running.”
Appleton said Bilbo was the fraternity’s head pledge trainer and house manager.
The immediate Bilbo family includes parents Kent and Susan Bilbo and Wes’ 18-year-old sister Lindsey.
Bilbo’s father said his son was well-known for his strong work ethic, which spoke volumes about his character. Bilbo said his son worked on a farm for a couple years during his time at Auburn.
“He was always the best at what he was doing, whether that was being a son, a brother or a welder,” Bilbo said.
Wes was known for his skill with his hands.
“He could build or fix anything,” Appleton said.
“He was devoted to anything he attempted to do whether it was learning to water ski or use a skill saw,” his father said.
The funeral service was held Saturday afternoon at Eastern Shore Baptist Church in Daphne.
"I was struck by the number of people who knew him,” Wes’ father said.
"Everyone had distinct memories of meeting him or stories of how he was always ready to respond to a need.”
Bilbo said everyone who came to the viewing had something to say, whether they had known him 20 years or 20 days.
“He was very invested in his schoolwork and fraternity, but most importantly, in the people surrounding him,” said Tyler Ross, treasurer of AU Pike.
David Leffard, risk manager for AU Pike, had high praise for his friend.
“He was responsible, loyal and hardworking and cared more about others and their well being than he cared about himself,” Leffard said. “He would have given you the shirt off his back if you asked him. He was someone who everyone admired and loved who always brought out the
best in those around him.”
Ken Bilbo said his son had strong principles and convictions about things being done the right way.
“He was a standup guy that, as a leader, was not afraid to make the tough choices,” Leff ard said. “He prided himself on his integrity, and he stood by his word. If he told you he was going to do something, he was going to do it.”
Bilbo played both soccer and football at DHS and was coached by Rick Andrew for four years.
“He was a very respectful young person and a hard worker,” Andrew said. “He was no nonsense when he went to work and was a great team leader.”
“We will have an impossibly tough time filling Wes’ shoes,” Appleton said. “Wes was as genuine and real a person as there ever was; I can’t even begin to tell you how much he will be missed,” Leff ard said.
This fall, Auburn University will hold a flag ceremony where family and friends will be invited to speak, and an Auburn flag will be outside Samford Hall for Wes.
