Bruce Carleton Walborn

Bruce Carleton Walborn, of Hart, Michigan, passed away at the age of 89 on July 11, 2019 in Dublin, Ohio surrounded by his loving family.

Bruce was often referred to by many as their “favorite person” because of his contagious smile, and endless optimism. He was a true American patriot who loved God, his family and his country.

Bruce was born on March 23, 1930, in Detroit, Michigan. He is the son of Harold C. Walborn and Thelma Louise Polk Walborn. Bruce graduated from Livonia High School in 1948 and from the University of Michigan with a degree in business in 1952.

Bruce married Nancy Josephine Nims of Hart, Michigan on June 18, 1952. Bruce served in the US Army Intelligence Division from 1952-1954 in Tokyo, Japan.

Bruce ran a successful marketing and advertising agency in Cleveland, Ohio for over 30 years. This led him to owning and operating three Midwestern amusement parks. He also started and ran an outdoor boiler manufacturing company in Michigan with distribution in 26 US states.

Bruce and Nancy raised three children in Chagrin Falls, Ohio before retiring to their beloved family farm at Crystal Lake in Hart, Michigan.

Bruce’s hobbies include hunting, woodworking and taking his grandchildren fishing. Bruce loved restoring the family farm in Hart, Michigan that has been in the family since 1940. Bruce had a large garden, chickens and geese and a large woodworking shop.

One of Bruce’s favorite service opportunities was working with young people. Bruce served as a Board Member of the Founders Group that advises and assists the Center For Entrepreneurship at the Marriott School of Business of Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. Bruce frequently lectured in the Marriott Business School and he often provided free mentoring and consulting services to many people regarding their entrepreneurship plans.

Bruce was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and attended the Hart Ward. He had a strong faith in Jesus Christ and loved providing service to others in many different leadership capacities in the church. Bruce held many positions in the church including Bishop in Cleveland, OH and Branch President in Ludington, MI. Together with his wife Nancy, they served an 18 month mission for the church in the Philippines. Bruce and Nancy were stationed in Manila and were involved in training leaders in the field of Public Affairs, working with representatives of the Philippine government, media and local church units.

Bruce is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Nancy, and children Nanette Meteer Purdy (the late David and late Ronald), Melissa Sonksen (Craig) and Warren Walborn (Liezel) and fifteen grandchildren and 35 great-grandchildren. Also survived by his loving sister Margaret Cousins and family and brother Brian and wife Ruth Walborn and family

Bruce will always be remembered for being a friend to all. He has often been called “a legend in his own time.”

Viewing and visitation on Friday July 26, 2019 6-8 pm, and Saturday July 27, 2019 9-10 am. Funeral will be Saturday July 27, 2019 at 10:30 am.

Viewing and funeral services will be at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints at 2852 N. 72nd Ave., Hart, MI 49420 (across the street from Colonial Golf Club).

Those wishing to send flowers can send directly to Harris Funeral Home in Shelby, Michigan.  Those wishing to make a donation in Bruce's name may donate to Ruby's Rainbow Down Syndrome charity via the contact link below.  This is in honor of Bruce's 35th great-grandson, Milo Benton, who was born with Down syndrome. https://events.rubysrainbow.org/Brucewalborn