Col. Wilkerson

Colonel William F. Wilkerson, USAF, Retired, 96, of Crestview Hills, died Monday evening, March 9, 2015 at Emeritus at Edgewood.

He was a retired pilot of the United States Air Force. Having joined the United States Army Air Corp during World War II, he was shot down over Germany and managed to make his way back to safety using the underground network. Colonel Wilkerson was awarded the Purple Heart and numerous other distinguished commendations throughout his military career.

He received his Masters in Aeronautical Aviation from Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, was a longtime member of the Fort Mitchell Country Club and an avid golfer. He held his private pilot’s license for more than 50 years and, as a young man, he was a talented musician and owned a Dance Band named Count Wilke.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Opal Peters Wilkerson in 1984.

Surviving is his second wife, Nancy Bird Wilkerson of Crestview Hills; and daughter, Margaret (Brooke Vaughn) Wilkerson of Fort Mitchell.

Visitation is Thursday, March 12, 2015 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Middendorf-Bullock Funeral Home, Erlanger. Mass of Christian Burial is Friday, March 13, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church, 326 Madison Avenue, Covington. Interment, with military honors, at Rest Haven Memorial Park, Cincinnati.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Alzheimer’s Association, 644 Linn Street, Suite 1026, Cincinnati, Ohio 45203.