Wilbert Ray Noble Jr.

Wilbert Noble Jr., 87, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on August 28, 2025. He was born on October 12, 1937, in Fitzhenry, PA, to Gladys Hamm Noble and Wilbert Noble Sr.

Wilbert spent much of his childhood in New York City, where he graduated from Boys High School in Brooklyn in 1955, excelling in basketball and wrestling. He later attended the City College of New York before relocating to Cleveland, OH in 1969. Known to many as “Ray,” a nickname earned as a young boxer in Harlem, Wilbert carried a love for competition throughout his life—whether on the basketball court or at the card table playing Bid Whist, Spades, or Dominoes.

He built a 24-year career with Ford Motor Company, hired-in in 1975 as a supervisor and retired in 1999. Diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1993, Wilbert turned his personal plight into purpose by founding the “Man to Man” prostate cancer support group through the American Cancer Society.

A devoted humanitarian and public servant, Wilbert was honored with numerous awards throughout his life. He received the Living Angel Award in 2011, followed by the NAACP Community Service Award in 2012. In 2013, he was inducted into the Lorain County African American Hall of Fame, and in 2015, he was recognized by the Lorain County Domestic Relations Court for 13 years of dedicated service working with troubled youth. In 2019, the Ohio General Assembly honored the “Man to Man” Prostate Cancer Support Group on its 26th anniversary, celebrating it’s tenure and contribution. In addition, Wilbert served repeatedly as a jury foreman in Elyria and ran for Mayor, always striving to uplift and serve his community.

Beyond his accomplishments, Wilbert’s greatest joy was family and friends. He cherished vacations, loved watching Westerns, and prided himself on being everyone’s “brotha from another motha.” To many, he was an honorary father to those that had none. Remembered for his sharp wit, comedic charm, cowboy spirit, and loving nature. Forever in our hearts;

 Wilbert Noble was, in every sense, one of a kind.

Wilbert was preceded in death by his parents, Gladys and Wilbert Sr.; sisters, Helen and Loretta; and daughter, Lisa. He is survived by his beloved wife, Helen Elaine Noble; children, Michelle Glynn, Tammi Noble Charlton, and Wilbert “RJ” Noble III; grandchildren, Vincent Glynn Jr., Gianni Noble Turner, Taitum D. Charlton, Daylon Gipson Noble, and Kailynn Noble; as well as a host of relatives and friends whose lives he touched deeply.

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