Obituary of Willie David Wilkinson

Funeral services for Willie David Wilkinson 92, of Troup, will be held 2:00pm Saturday, April 28, 2018 at First United Methodist Church in Troup, TX. with the Reverend Mike Cline and Reverend Wade Harman officiating with interment to follow at Henry’s Chapel Cemetery. Under the direction of Cottle Funeral Home, Troup.

Willie passed away on April 26, 2018. He was born in Forreston, TX. on December 5, 1925 to the late C.A Wilkinson and Myrtie Gray Wilkinson. Willie moved to Troup at the age of 6 months old when his father was named superintendent of Troup ISD along with his mother and older brother, C.A Wilkinson Jr. Willie graduated from high school in 1943 and soon after joined the Merchant Marines. After serving 4 years in the Merchant Marines, he attended Brownsville Junior College and SMU, all on athletic scholarships. After Willie completed his degree, he began his job as a line coach at Sabine, TX, only to be drafted into the army where he served 2 years. After his discharge from the army, he resumed his coaching career at Leverette’s Chapel and later on at McLeod, TX as an athletic director and head coach before going into educational sales and calling on schools for over 45 years until his retirement.

He is preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Francis Gray Wilkinson.

Survivors include his wife of 49 years, Joyce; his daughters, Kim Cantele and husband Chris, Karen Andrews; son, Mark Lester and wife Brenda; his brother, C.A Wilkinson Jr; grandchildren, Ashley Riddle and husband Clayton, Bill Bassett IV, Russ Lester and wife Anna, Amanda Womble and husband Victor, Shawn Bunyard and wife Terri, Jacob Cantele, Sarah Siragusa and husband Brad, Laura Purdy; and seven great-grandchildren.

In Lieu of flowers, memorials if desired may be sent to Henry’s Chapel Cemetery Association, 4646 FM 15, E. Troup, TX 75789.

Visitation will be at Cottle Funeral Home in Troup 6pm-8pm on Friday, April 27, 2018.

Online registration and condolences are available at www.cottlefuneralhome.com