William E. Wilkinson

William E. Wilkinson, 92, of Terre Haute passed away Saturday morning, March 5, 2022.  He had served in Radar and Cryptographic with the United States Air Force in the Korean War and during the occupation of Japan, and was a Letter Carrier with the USPS.  Bill was born March 31, 1929 in Terre Haute to Murrel Wilkinson and Gertrude DeVol Wilkinson.

Survivors include his daughter, Miki Wilkinson of Hachijo-Jima, Japan;  his step-children, Robert D. “Bobby” Legg (Judy) of Terre Haute, Michael Legg (Danielle) of Westfield, IN, Kathleen Berger (Donald) of Granger, IN, Doreen Legg McKillop (Darrell) of Terre Haute and Colleen Pettijohn-Spice (Mike) of Terre Haute;  a step-son-in-law, Eric Holechko of Carmel, IN;  two brothers, Richard Wilkinson of Avon, IN and George Wilkinson of Utah;  and his sister, Margaret “Peggy” Miles of Springfield, IL.  Also surviving is a sister-in-law, Mary Kathleen Dunphy of Long Island, NY;  17 step-grandchildren;  30 step-great-grandchildren;  5 step-great-great-grandchildren;  and several nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents;  his wife, Eileen Legg Wilkinson;  step-daughter, Mary Legg Holechko;  two brothers, Ernest A. Wilkinson, Ronald Kneeland;  and two sisters, Eleanor Snapp and Dorothy Hibler.

Bill grew up in the Chauncy Rose Home for Children in Terre Haute.  Throughout his life, he had a remarkable affinity for the poor and hungry, and a regular part of his weekly routine was to purchase large amounts of food and take it to the St. Patrick Soup Kitchen.  He was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church, Lawton Byrum Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #972, Krietenstein American Legion Post #104, Air Force Association and Air Force Sergeants Association.

The family would like to express their sincerest appreciation to the staff of Southern Care Hospice for the loving care they provided to Bill.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 AM, Thursday, March 10, 2022 in St. Patrick Catholic Church, 1807 Poplar Street, with Father Ben Syberg officiating.  Burial with Military Honors by Lawton Byrum VFW Post #972 will be in Grandview Cemetery.  Visitation is scheduled for Wednesday, from 4:00-7:00 PM with a Rosary to be recited at 6:30 PM in Callahan & Hughes Funeral Home, 605 South 25 ^th Street.  If friends should so desire, memorial contributions may be made to the St. Patrick Soup Kitchen, 1807 Poplar Street, Terre Haute, IN 47803.  Funeral information and tributes may be found at www.callahanandhughes.com .