Wilbur Bengston Neel, M.D., 87, died May 19, 2012, in Hutchinson. He was born Oct. 22, 1924, in Windom, Ks.

Dr. Neel was the fifth and youngest child of Walter and Edna Bengston Neel.

He is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Ailiff Neel; and wife, Virginia Wyman Neel. Dr. Neel graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1942 and enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving as an aviator until the end of World War II.

He returned to Hutchinson and on Sept. 11, 1946, married Virginia Wyman. He graduated from Kansas State University in 1949 with a degree in mechanical engineering, and upon his return to Hutchinson, worked for his father in the farm implement business for several years. He entered Kansas University School of Medicine in 1955, completed his training in 1963, and returned with his family to Hutchinson, where he was instrumental in establishing the Hutchinson Clinic at 12th and Main. By the time of his retirement in 1989, the clinic had grown into a 42-physician multi-specialty group. Following his retirement, Dr. Neel and his wife spent several months a year at their home in Scottsdale, Arizona, where he became an avid golfer.

Dr. Neel is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Robin and Victor Poydence, Fairview, Texas; a son and daughter-in-law, Dr. James and Louisa Neel, Wichita; and a grandson, Andrew Neel, Berkeley, California. Other survivors include: sisters, Moretha Lyman, Marlyne Nininger, and Ineta Studebaker, all of Hutchinson; and a number of nieces and nephews.

There will be a private entombment at Fairlawn Mausoleum. The family will receive friends on Friday, May 25, 2012, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Elliott Chapel, 1219 N. Main. Friends may sign the book Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Hutchinson Public Library, in care of the mortuary.