Wilbur Leon Metz

Wilbur Leon Metz, 95 years young, heard the final call for "All Aboard" and departed this life on Tuesday, December 1, 2020 and entered into the loving arms of Jesus and heard "well done, my good and faithful servant". Mr. Metz was born on May 29th, 1925 and was the son of Ralph W. and Anna (Jones) Metz. He was born in Fairplay, Maryland. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Betty (Linn) Metz in 2009; brothers, Lloyd and Eugene; a sister, Thelma Mills; and a stepdaughter, Margaret Urban. Mr. Metz joined the Navy at the age of 17, and following his service, he began a 42-year career that he loved for the Western Maryland Railroad, retiring as a conductor for CSX. He took great pride in his work. Beginning on his first day of work on Novemeber 14, 1945 to his last day in 1987, he kept daily ledgers of details about each run the trains took. He hoped, as he meticulously kept his ledgers, that someone one day would recognize their value as a potential exhibit in a railroad museum. That day came in the summer of 1996 when a curator from the Smithsonian Museum was made aware of his collection and asked Dad if he would allow his ledgers to become part of the museums transportation departments history. Dad was honored at a private tour and luncheon at the museum where his exhibit remains. It was a very proud day for him and his family. He is survived by his sister, Dorothy Peterson; his daughter, Joanie Swandol and husband, Roy; stepdaughter, Ina Merritt and husband, William; stepson, John W. Balch; and a grandson he raised, Michael Metz. He is also a proud grandfather and great-grandfather. He is also survived by his companion, Helen Crosby, whom he called Buttercup, and her family. Helen took wonderful care of him before and during his illness. Mr. Metz was a faithful member of St. James Brethren Church in St. James, Maryland for 94 years. For many years he loved delivering the hard tack candy they made at Christmas. He delighted in being "Santa" for the grandkids and running his train yard and could be found wearing an apron and hair net making homemade applesauce cakes to mail to family out of state. He belonged to the American Legion and bowled duckpins for over 25 years with the Senior Citizen League. He enjoyed working in his yard and garden, traveling, and watching his Baltimore Orioles. The biggest steak on the menu followed with a great piece of coconut cake always put a smile on his face. He also loved collecting coins and stamps. Dad was a man of great faith with his bible always beside him. He lived his life demonstrating values like wisdom, perseverance, integrity, honesty, and a positive outlook on life. He was a man of his word, always a gentleman who took pride in his appearance, and his laughter could fill a room. When asked his secret to living a long and healthy life his reply was always the same, "God First, read your bible, eat your vegetables, be kind, and a jigger of apple cider vinegar starts every day off to a good start." Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, services will be private with interment at Cedar Lawn Memorial Park, 17636 W. Washington St., Hagerstown, MD, on Saturday, December 5, 2020, at 1pm with Deacon Tim McMillan officiating. The family extends a heartfelt thank you to the wonderful people at Hospice of Washington County for their compassion and special care they gave the past few months. Dad requested that any donations be made to his church, St. James Brethren Church, 17718 Lappans Road, Fairplay, Maryland 21733. "No matter where I am, Dad, your spirit will be beside me."