WILLIAM S. WILKINS
July 5, 1918 - Oct. 4, 2005
MOUNT OLIVE -- William Shelton Wilkins died Tuesday, October 4, 2005, surrounded by his four sons and the love of his family and friends.
Bill was born in Mount Olive on July 5, 1918, to Dr. John William Wilkins and Eva Jurney Wilkins.
While a student at Birmingham Southern, he met and married Betty Glenn Hughes. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps as Commanding Officer and Instructor at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida and was qualified to fly over 18 different aircraft.
After service, he settled in his beloved Mount Olive to raise his family and start a successful egg business. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church where he served in many leadership roles though the years. He was active in the community, serving as mayor of Mount Olive, chairman of the board of the Mt. Olive Pickle Company, member of the Mount Olive Committee of 100, on the Steering Committee for the consolidation of Southern Wayne High School, and member of Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Aside from the love for his family, fishing was his second joy. Bill Wilkins would fish with anyone, anywhere virtually anytime. He especially enjoyed fishing with his sons and grandchildren who cherished these times and learned many valuable lessons.
Bill is survived by his devoted wife, Betty, of 59 years, his four sons: John William Wilkins, II, and his wife Pamela Wilson Wilkins; Kenneth Douglas Wilkins and wife Geri Campbell Wilkins; William Shelton Wilkins, Jr. and wife Barbara Hollowell Wilkins, and Randall Wilkins and wife, Gina; eight grandchildren; and his brother, Dr. Kenneth Wilkins and his wife, Betty Snyder Wilkins of Goldsboro.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, October 8, at 11 a.m., at the First United Methodist Church, Mount Olive, with visitation following.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Building Fund of First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 420, Mount. Olive, NC 28365.
Services by Tyndall Funeral Home, Mount Olive
(Written & Paid by the Family)
Published in Obituaries on October 6, 2005 1:56 PM