TEWKSBURY: William J. Wilkinson, Sr. age 88, a resident of Tewksbury for over 40 years, died Tuesday, July 12, 2005 at the Willow Manor Nursing Home in Lowell.
Born in Methuen on September 21, 1916, he was the son of the late Samuel and Evelyn (Wakefield) Wilkinson.
Mr. Wilkinson was raised in Lawrence and attended Lawrence schools.
He served during World War II in the U.S. Navy and was awarded several decorations including the American Defense Service Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.
Prior to his retirement, he was employed for over 20 years at the Tewksbury Hospital.
Mr. Wilkinson was a member and the past organist and choir director of the Tewksbury Congregational Church.
He enjoyed attending horse races, fishing and spending time with his family.
He is survived by one son; William J. Wilkinson, Jr. and his wife Cheryl (Mulcahy) of Tewksbury; one daughter; Diane R. Valcourt and her husband Gerald of Salem, NH; 6 grandchildren; Deborah R. Ferrick and her husband Daniel of Haverhill, William J. Wilkinson, III and his wife Sherrie (Defina) of Goffstown, NH, Wayne R. Wilkinson of Billerica, Brian A. Wilkinson and his wife Laura (Hupper), Brenda F. Devlin and her husband David all of Tewksbury and Jeffrey K. Wilkinson and his girlfriend Amanda Gower both of Ayer; fifteen great grandchildren; Jamie E. Ruiz, Jillian M., Jessica and Joelle McKinney, William J. Wilkinson, IV, Nicole E. Wilkinson, Jessica K. Wilkinson, Wayne Wilkinson, Amanda Bryant, Nathan W. Wilkinson, Derek A. Wilkinson, Kayla M., Julia A. and Alyssa E. Devlin and Trevor Wilkinson; five great great grandchildren.
Mr. Wilkinson was the brother of the late Fred Wilkinson, Florence Wilkinson and Katherine Bernier.
Calling hours Friday, July 15th from 8-10 a.m. at the Farmer & Dee Funeral Home, 16 Lee St., Tewksbury. Funeral services will follow at the funeral home. Interment at Tewksbury Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to the Tewksbury Congregational Church, East St., Tewksbury, MA 01876 are requested.