Our brother, uncle, life partner, step-dad, dear friend, and co-worker Wilbert Donovan Neal passed away suddenly on May 10, 2021 in Columbus, Ohio. He was born on December 21, 1958, which may be why the selfless spirit of the bringer of toys, magical joy, and universal peace were natural aspects of Wil's personality. He was a graduate of Eastmoor High School and Ohio Dominican College. While he was employed by the Columbus Public Library and Big Fun Columbus, he was also a co-innovator of local public access television shows, including Vast Wasteland. Neal was an artist of numerous paintings and ceramics. He enthusiastically participated in annual events: Comfest, The DooDah Parade, toy shows, the state fair, and fan conventions. Uncle Bert made sure all the children knew about superheroes, monster movies, tiny cars, nerdy t.v. shows, and had access to books of all sorts from cultural histories to comic books to novels to geographical atlases of the world. Wilbert was very young when his father, Willie Lee Neal died and his mother Ruth Ola has only been gone for a few years. He is survived by sisters Cynthia Renee (Jayms McKinney) and Toni Edelle; nieces Danielle and Parker, nephews David, Jeremy, Jameel (Tiffany), Khalil, Chayton and Miles; life partner MJ Willow and her children Noah Wiley and Rachel Wiley; a houseful of rescued cats and dogs, and many, many friends who have been caring, honest and supportive over the years. Visitation will be held on Monday, May 24, 2021 from 12:30 to 1:30 PM at O.R. Woodyard Co. South Chapel (1346 S. High St. Col. OH, 43207). Burial will take place at Green Lawn Cemetery where a graveside service will be held. Digital Portrait by Tom Crist. Please share a memory below for Wilbert's family. Cemetery Details Green Lawn Cemetery 1000 Greenlawn Ave Columbus, OH 43223 Loading map Previous Events Visitation MAY 24. 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM (ET) O. R. Woodyard Co. Funeral & Cremation Services - South Chapel 1346 S. High St. Columbus, OH 43207 Loading map Graveside Service MAY 24. 2:00 PM (ET) Green Lawn Cemetery 1000 Greenlawn Ave Columbus, OH 43223 Loading map