William E. Wilkes Jr. passed away Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, after a long battle with cancer.
Bill was born March 27, 1928, in Lansing, Mich.
He served in the U.S. Army from 1946 to 1950, serving in Germany with the constabulary and as chaplain's assistant. His second tour was with the infantry in Korea, where he was wounded in combat. He received commendations for outstanding service and was awarded the Purple Heart and Korean Service medals. He later served several years as commander of the Disabled American Veterans post in the Lewiston-Clarkston area.
Bill married Beverly Beske on Sept. 2, 1951, and they settled in Bloomington, Minn., to raise their family.
They traveled the United States extensively, and everywhere he went he made new friends.
In 1996, Bill and Bev moved to Lewiston to be closer to their daughters.
Bill had multiple careers over his lifetime, always in service to others and the community. He especially enjoyed driving vans for the DAV, taking veterans to hospitals in Spokane and Walla Walla, as well as hosting the coffee breaks on holiday weekends at Colgate Licks on U.S. Highway 12 near Lolo Pass.
All his life he was a generous, loving, good man who treated everyone with dignity and respect. He had a strong faith in God. Bill also loved model railroading, fishing and his family. His family includes his wife, Beverly; daughters Amy Wood and Shernie Wilkes; sons-in-law Mike Wood and John Faires; and sister Bernice Koppa.
A celebration of life will be held in the spring. Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society www.cancer.org.