William E. 'Bill' Wilkins, 79, of Lumberton, went to be with the Lord on Monday, September 21, 2009.
He was born in Orangefield, TX on December 20, 1929 to Anna Mae Jescke Wilkins and Horace B. Wilkins. Bill grew up in Sour Lake and graduated from Sour Lake High School in 1948.
Following his father's footsteps, he went to work for Sun Oil Co. and retired 40 years later. His career was briefly interrupted by serving four years in the US Navy aboard the USS Floyd B. Parks (DD-884). After he retired, he lived in Crystal Beach for 22 years where he enjoyed gardening, fishing and shrimping East Bay. He was a charter member and very active in the First Baptist Church in Crystal Beach.
Bill is survived by his loving wife of 25 years Judy, brothers Billy Jean and wife Bette Jo of Northridge, CA and John Wilkins and wife Doris of Houston; sons Kent Wilkins and wife Diane of Arlington, MA, Craig Wilkins and wife Janet of Houston, Adam Wilkins and wife Shelly of Little Elm, TX and daughters Janet Nadine Wilkins of Georgia and Patti Graham and husband Ricky of Las Vegas, NV. He is also survived by grandchildren Steven, Kyle, Becky, Nathan, Tiffany, Christian, Tricia, Kelisa and Nolan and great-granddaughter Trista.
Funeral services will be 10:00 am Thursday, September 24, 2009 at Farmer Funeral Home in Silsbee with interment following in Singleton Cemetery in Vidor. Visitation will begin at 5:00 pm Wednesday at the funeral home.
