An ordinary trip to a Fort Wayne thrift store turned extraordinary for Zuleika King Rivera. While searching for Halloween costumes, Rivera found a coat priced at $9.99, labeled as a “Halloween Jacket.” This was no ordinary coat; inside it held the name “Willibey,” along with military identification details, including part of his Army service number.
As a U.S. Army veteran herself, Rivera immediately recognized the significance of the find. “Coming from a military family, I have always held great respect for service members,” she shared. The name on the coat triggered a sense of duty: uncover the story and, if possible, reunite it with its family.
The coat belonged to someone who served. It was not just an old uniform, but a piece of history that deserved recognition and connection.
Determined, Rivera set out on a mission. Over four hours of online research uncovered the coat’s owner. She pieced together details about Gilbert Alton Willibey, born on April 8, 1917. Drafted at age 24, he served in World War II. Records indicated he spent time in South Africa and served for six years, with three overseas.
The patches and markings on the coat told more of Gilbert’s story, confirming his rank as a corporal. Returning to the U.S. in 1946, Gilbert married Dorothy, and they had a son, Bruce. Despite uncovering these details, Rivera faced a challenge. Bruce had recently passed, but this led her to his daughter, Meghan Stewart, who knew little of her grandfather’s military past.
Rivera’s investigation and persistence paid off when a mutual friend connected her with Stewart. They exchanged information, and Rivera shared all she had learned. Speculation suggested the coat, missing for two decades, had been accidentally included in an estate sale.
The emotional moment of reuniting Stewart with the coat was profound. Rivera recalled her own grandfather, thinking how special it would be to find something of his today. Holding the coat felt like holding a piece of Stewart’s family history.
For Rivera, the mission was not just about solving a mystery. “The fulfillment was in bringing something back to someone that tied her to her grandfather,” she expressed. Rivera’s efforts brought closure and connected Stewart with a piece of her family’s past after many years.