Celebrating the Life of 
February 13, 1932 - August 20, 2015 
Wednesday, August 26, 2015 
<t- Ben Hill United Methodist Church I 2099 Fairburn Road SW I Atlanta GA 30331 Reverend Byron E. Thomas, Senior Pastor I Reverend Lavell M. Sanders, Associate Pastor Reverend Belinda G. McCastle, Associate Pastor, Officiating 
 
 John Willie Wilkerson, affectionately known to all as J.W., was born on February 13, 
 
1932 in Tifton, Georgia. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charlie Lee Wilkerson and 
 
Eva Broner Wilkerson, and his granddaughter, Lark Wever. 
 
At an early age, John learned the value of hard work and commitment to family and 
 
he often spoke about working in the fields in South Georgia to help his family. He spent his 
 
formative years in Detroit, Michigan and was educated in the Detroit public school system before 
 
joining the US Navy to serve his country in the Korean War. After retiring from military service, 
 
John dedicated himself to a successful career with the US Postal Service where he served for over 
 
40 years. When he retired in 2000, he enjoyed relaxing on his porch and continued supporting 
 
his family as the daily driver from school for all of the grandkids. The children and staff at Romar Academy and Ben Hill 
 
Christian Academy all referred to him as "PaPa". 
 
John and his loving wife, Delores, met when she was a student at Clark College. He said he had a dream about a 
 
beautiful woman sitting under a tree reading a book and knew she would be his wife. While visiting his grandmother's home 
 
where Delores was living he saw her sitting under a tree, reading a book and told her "you are the woman in my dream" and 
 
she fell for it! They were married May 19, 1960 and to this union, three wonderful daughters were born: Yolanda, Donna and 
 
Tonya. He also had a daughter from a previous marriage, Brenda. 
 
Everyone who knew John was aware of his love for the Atlanta Braves and the Atlanta Falcons. He often attended 
 
games with his family and never missed them when they were on TV, usually talking to screen the entire game. He always 
 
had a radio with him so that he could listen to the games while he worked. He supported his beloved Braves when they were 
 
losing and when they were champions. 
 
John was known throughout the community as a gentle and caring person who would offer a helping hand to anyone in need. His sense of humor and love of life were evident to anyone that spent time with him. He was the ultimate "family man." John's dedication to his family was second only to his love of the Lord. When he returned to Atlanta, he joined Mount Nebo under the leadership of 
Reverend J.R. Taylor. He was a movie buff and a natural historian. This made him an awesome 
 
Committed 
Helpful Strong 
Humorous 
Ge no\~~edKind Faithful 
Dedicated Loyal 
Dependa?le Brave 
Lov1ng 
 
storyteller. At any Sunday dinner, all the boys would gather around him; listening 
 
Protector 
 
attentively at his feet...they admired him deeply. 
 
John loved music! He had a beautiful tenor voice and whistled all the time . Jazz was his favorite and the family 
 
house was filled with the sound of music ... Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong, Brook Benton 
 
and John Coltrane .... as well as Al Green, Aretha Franklin, The Temptations, The Spinners, The O'Jays ... these are some of 
 
the artists in his extensive music collection. 
 
Family was his most treasured blessing. He worked diligently to provide for his family and always made sure his 
 
family was safe and secure. He was a supportive and loving father, always encouraging his girls to be self-sufficient and 
 
independent. He was thoughtful, loving and to his girls, he was the ultimate Super Hero. 
 
Every conversation with John at some point would turn to his girls. He danced with them at Debutante Balls; he 
 
never missed a birthday and he always bought them candy for Valentine's Day, even when they were grown or away at school. 
 
From his hospital bed, he told Delores to make sure she bought them candy for Valentine's Day...he gave each of them away 
 
at their weddings and cried all the way down the aisle! 
 
John was quiet and unassuming, very much like Trey. His ability to draw and create art lives in Noah. His rugged 
 
good looks are clearly evident in Nile. His love of music lives on through Jessica and Kala. 
 
He leaves to cherish his memory and legacy, his wife of 55 years, Delores Ann Robinson Wilkerson; four 
 
daughters, Brenda Wilkerson Solomon, Yolanda Wilkerson Blackshear (John), Donna Maria Wilkerson and Tonya Mignon 
 
Wilkerson- Bennett; six grandchildren, LaShaun Blaine Solomon, Jessica Delores Blackshear, John Solomon Blackshear, III, Noah Matthias Bennett, Nile Malachi Bennett and Kala Delores Wever; sister, Charlie Mae Campbell; Brother-in-law, 
 
Austin Robinson (Sarah); Aunt, Rusha Lindsey; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. 
 
 PRELUDE 
 
Wednesday, August 26, 2015 
 
GREETING 
 
HYMN OF CELEBRATION ................................. "Draw Me Nearer"- Hymn #109 
 
SCRIPTURES............... Old Testament: Psalm 91: 14-16...................... Nile Bennett ........................ New Testament: !Thessalonians 4:13-15 ................. Noah Bennett ........................ NewTestament: !Thessalonians 4:16-18 ............ ;John Blackshear, III 
 
PRAYER ......................................................... Reverend Lavell Sanders 
 
CELEBRATION IN SONG ............................. "We Shall Behold Him"- Leslie Tanner 
 
REFLECTIONS (limit 2-3 minutes please) .......................... Neighbor: Dr. Charles Hawk ........................................................... Life-long Friend: Mr.J.T. Wright ........................................................ Co-Worker: Ms. Catherine Jefferson ........................................................... Family Member: Malvin Trawick ... . .......................................................... Nephew: Raymond Campbell 
 
CELEBRATION IN SONG ............................. '1 Shalll*ar a Crown"- Majestic Choir 
 
WORDS OF COMFORT ............................................ Rev. Byron E. Thomas, ................................................ .............. Senior Pastor, Ben Hill UMC 
 
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 
 
RECESSIONAL ........................ "Goin' Up Yonder"- Majestic Choir- Leslie Tanner (soloist) 
 
INTERMENT Georgia National Cemetery 1080 Scott Hudgens Drive 
Canton, GA 30114 
Repast will be served from 3:30pm- 7:30pm at: The Regency Clubhouse 
4555 Regency Trace SW I Atlanta, GA 30331 
 
   The cornerstone of the family. A tower of respect and admiration. 
His wife at his side. His children before him. Lovingly cherished by his family. Through his words of wisdom and encouragement, his children grow in knowledge and are blessed to have him. Exercising his right of authority to maintain peace, balance and harmony. Guiding and instructing his little ones. Sacrificing his life for family. Providing shelter and sustenance so that all may survive. He contemplates and marvels at his greatest achievement, a family, the monument to his life. A great treasure without measure. Protecting, caring and nurturing his greatest asset for the benefit of his lineage. Making sure that all is safe. Till, he takes his last breath. Our friend, Our father, He is our Dad. 
Author Unknown 
 
  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 
The family gratefully acknowledges the many thoughtful expressions ~f sympathy that we received during our time of bereavement. We sincerely appreciate all of the comforting messages, phone calls, visits, cards, food, prayers and other expressions of kindness and concern shown to us during the loss of our loved one. We thank God for each of you. May His rich blessings overtake you. 
The Wilkerson Family 
 
~ly goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: 
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. 
(Psalm 23:6) 
 
PALLBEARERS 
 
Nile Bennett 
 
Noah Bennett 
 
Tony Williams 
 
John Blackshear, II 
 
John Blackshear, III 
 
Michael Broner 
 
FLOWER LADIES 
The Magnificent 12 Social Club 
 
HONORARY FLOWER LADIES 
The J ewels & Partners 
 
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES ENTRUSTED TO 
Murray Brothers Funeral Home