1935 – May 25, 2024 

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of William  “Willie”  Wilkinson on May 25, 2024, in Kamloops B.C. He was predeceased by Shirley, his wife of 66 years, in April of 2024. 

He is survived by son Mark (Brigita) and granddaughters Nicole & Stephanie; and daughter Terri (Kelly) Low and their children Andy & Melissa and families. Also remembered by brother Elmore (Inez) Wilkinson and nephews Glen Wilkinson and Rick (Nancy) Parkman and niece Wendy Galbraith. He was predeceased by sister-in-law Patricia Parkman and brother-in-law Layton Parkman, nephew Grant Parkman and nieces Vonna Neal and Wendy, Gwen, and Sherry Wilkinson. 

Willie was born in 1935 to Roy and Isobel Wilkinson. He grew up in the Merrit and Princeton areas, spending most of his youth in Princeton. He started work at a young age, working at the Princeton Power Plant shoveling coal, moving onto logging, as a faller, and finally joining Tom Stout and Les McKenzie to form Tri-Valley Construction (still operating in Princeton) in 1964. Willie and Shirley partnered with Dennis and Bonnie Cook in a few hairbrained schemes, including the operation of Gibson Pass Ski Hill the first year it went private. 

Willie married Shirley in 1958 in Princeton where they raised their family. Willie was always active and involved with his children including Nancy Greene Ski League, Minor Hockey, and Junior Curling. Willie had a variety of hobbies, but placer gold mining was perhaps his favorite. His early placer mining was influenced heavily by Bob Thomas, who was a great teacher and mentor. Willie would spend most summer weekends on his claims and Mark would almost always tag along. 

Willie and Shirley spent the past 30 years in Kamloops, where they enjoyed their strata community. Willie was active in the carving community in Kamloops. His carvings, along with Shirley’s water colour and oil paintings, are proudly displayed in the homes of family and friends. They also enjoyed travelling to warmer climates with their travel trailer and spending time at the family cabin they built in Tulameen. 

Willie will be greatly missed by all. 

No service will be held as per his request, donations in his memory can be made to Heart and Stroke foundation. 

You may offer a message of condolence at Kamloops Funeral Home for the Wilkinson family. 

• Date : 2024-05-25
• Location : Kamloops