Dear Friends,

We called him Dad and G’paw, but you may have addressed him by another name like Mr. Wilkerson, Lyle, Buster, Coach or a few other names I may not know about.

Dad often spoke of you, his friends, who helped make his life meaningful and full of joy, humor and satisfaction, especially after losing Linne in March of 1995. Marty, Ashley, Katie and I did our best to fill his life with love and family activities and it was our pleasure to do so. Yet it was you, his friends, who rallied around him and kept him socially active and involved during that difficult time in his life.

When we lost Marty in April 2021, I wasn’t sure how we would cope with our loss, let alone help Lyle process and manage the pain of losing his younger son. And there you all were, still standing by him, encouraging him, including him in every activity possible, taking him to breakfast, on walks, to football and baseball games, celebrating with him, remembering his birthday and just honoring him with your presence and love.

Lyle was blessed to have had each of you as his friend and from the bottom of my heart, I thank you on behalf of our entire family.

Survived by:

Rick Wilkerson, son and his wife Maddie

Amber Stevens, granddaughter and her children: Brody, Blake and Brooklyn

Kathy (KC) Wilkerson, daughter-in-law

Ashley Grant, granddaughter and her sons: Wyatt, Easton and Zane Martin

Katie Parry, granddaughter and her daughter, Bryor Lynn