wow, sad story, hope it has a happy ending, you prolly should be doing people searches, like zabasearch and intelius, here..
http://www.zabasearch.com/query1_zaba.php?sname=JAMES%20WILB...=
and here...
http://www.intelius.com/search-summary-out.php?ReportType=1&...you'll have to pay a buck or two for the phone number, but prolly a post card with your number or addy would be more appropriate, given how of years have past.
good luck, and god bless...and hey...5th cousin Herb :-)