Obituary: Kenneth Woodard Wilkinson | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Kenneth Woodard Wilkinson, 84, passed away May 17, 2011, at Moses Cone Hospital. A memorial service celebrating his life will be held Saturday, June 4, 2011, at 3 p.m. in the Memorial Chapel at First Presbyterian Church, on North Elm Street in Greensboro, with visitation following the service.

    Ken was born July 16, 1926, in Belhaven, N.C., to the late Heber Jordan Wilkinson and Mary Louise Woodard Wilkinson. He graduated from the John A. Wilkinson High School in 1943, and after a year at NC State, he entered the military in 1944. He served with the 104th Infantry Division (Timberwolves) in France and in Germany during the Battle of the Bulge, was part of the armed forces liberating Nordhausen Concentration Camp, and received commendations of a Purple Heart and US Army Sharpshooter Badge. He was honorably discharged in 1946. In 1950, he continued his education at William and Mary and graduated from Virginia Tech in 1954 with a mechanical engineering degree.

    He began his sales engineering career at Union Carbide and worked briefly with Wyandotte Chemical. In 1960, he joined Taylor Instrument Company, which transitioned into ABB, from which he retired in 1990. He was a member of ISA from 1963 to 1990, during which time he was a member of the Golden Triangle Section, served as director of the textile division, was elected District 3 VP and served on the Executive Board. After retiring, Ken became a realtor and enjoyed working at Roach Realty in Greensboro for 19 years.

    Ken was a member of the Presbyterian Church of the Covenant where he served in multiple areas of ministry, including teaching Sunday school and served on the Session. He was also╩a member of the Young Mens Bible Class at First Presbyterian Church. He was a member of the Greensboro Kiwanis Club and a volunteer for the Shepherd Center.

    Ken amused many with his jokes and loved entertaining his family and friends at the mountain condo. He enjoyed playing bridge and gin rummy, watching football and baseball (especially the Yankees) and was an ardent reader. Last May, he was privileged to go on the Flight of Honor to Washington, D.C., to visit the WWII Memorial – a special day for him.

    Ken is lovingly survived by his wife of 45 years, Annie May Wilkinson; sister, Martha L. Wilkinson of Wilson, North Carolina; brother, Michael C. Wilkinson of Las Vegas, Nevada; daughters, Linda G. Wood (Leon) of Stokesdale, North Carolina; Rachel D. Bridge of West Palm Beach, Florida; and Katherine D. Milam (Bill) of Plantation, Florida; and granddaughters, Chelsea E. Wood, Audrey D. Bridge and Hayley M. Milam.

    Contributions may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro, 2500 Summit Avenue, Greensboro, NC 27405, or the charity of the donors choice. Arrangements are by Forbis and Dick Funeral Service, Greensboro.