Wilbert J. Hager, 87, of Meriden, husband of the late Shirley Fry Ordy Hager, died Friday, April 26th at his home after a lengthy illness. Wilbert was born in Waterbury, June 26, 1925, son of the late Frederick & Amelia Hager. Until his retirement in 1986, he was employed at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft in North Haven as a lead man and foreman in the Heat Treatment Department. He was a proud veteran of World War II having served in the U.S. Marine Corps. He is survived by a daughter, Bonnie Thibodeau and her husband Allan of Wallingford, two step-daughters, Kathleen Smith and husband Jonathan of Surprise AZ, and Diane Larson of Meriden, a brother Conrad Hager and wife Ruth of Naugatuck, 8 grandchildren, Jason and Melissa Thibodeau, Kelly Thibodeau, Jeremy, Jaime and Julie Smith, April and Ryan Larson and dear friends, Mary Perlot, George & Juliette Giroux, Jim & Sharon Beegan, Chris Amann and Ellie Bauer. He was predeceased by his first wife, Loretta Rabideau Hager. The family would like to express their special thanks to his hospice nurse, Gina Sullo, for her compassionate love & care during his illness. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, May 1st at 10:00 AM in the chapel of the B.C. Bailey Funeral Home, 273 So. Elm St., Wallingford. Friends may call at the funeral home on Tuesday from 4-8:00 PM. Burial with military honors will follow at the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Meriden.