DL Capt. Harold G. Wilkinson

 

~ IN MEMORY ~

USAF veteran, DL Capt. Harold G. Wilkinson

September 17, 1928 ~ May 30, 2023

 

Notice of passing…..Delta Golden Wings member retired Delta Air Lines pilot Captain Harold George "Hal" Wilkinson, age 94, of Hiawassee, Georgia.  Hal joined Delta Air Lines 4-30-1956.  Widowed twice, Captain Wilkinson is survived by his many extended family members and dear friends.

 

Obituary information is available online at

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/harold-wilkinson-obituary?id=52090166 

also at https://www.banisterfuneral.com/obituaries/harold-wilkinson  

 

Harold Wilkinson Obituary

 Wilkinson, Harold George "Hal" age 94, of Hiawassee, Georgia passed away peacefully in his home on Lower Bell Creek Road on Tuesday, May 30, 2023 with his family and his precious caregivers by his side. Only a few months shy of his 95th year on this side of Heaven, Hal's unwavering selflessness, kindness, and dapper intelligence truly left a lasting imprint for all who had the blessing of meeting or knowing him. Mr. Wilkinson was born on September 17, 1928 in Platteville, Wisconsin to Lansford and Martha (Tindell) Wilkinson and was the second eldest of 11 children; sisters Ruth (Glenn) Brotzman; Dorothy Ann; Donnie (Carol) Wilkinson; Gary "Skip" (Kathleen) Wilkinson; Carolyn (John) Werner; Mary; (Richard) Lee; Joe (Toni) Wilkinson; Jim (Carol) Wilkinson; Martha (Robert) Hickman; and Emma; (Clarence; Jr.) Scharpf.

He is preceded in death by his parents and grandparents; his wife Mrs. Ethelda Gribble Wilkinson; first wife Dottie Wilkinson; sisters Ruth, Dorothy & Carolyn; his brothers Donnie, Gary & Jim as well as a number of siblings' spouses; nieces and nephews.

Surviving Mr. Wilkinson are his siblings Mary, Martha, Emma & Joe all of Illinois; his two step daughters, (his gals); Linda (Harold) Ingram of Young Harris; GA; & Joyce Rogers of Hiawassee, GA; three step grandchildren; Mandilyn (Chuck) Moore; Jade Moss; & Jentry (Josh) Taylor all of Hiawassee; and four; step great grandchildren; JD, Jaxi Jule, Gunner and -unborn- baby boy Taylor. Hal is also survived by many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and even a few great great nieces and nephews.

 Mr. Wilkinson was truly blessed with a life full of impactful experiences and accomplishments as well as adapting through progressions in history and advancements in time that are truly remarkable. Hal served in the United States Air Force during WWII from 1946-1949 as a Decontaminating Chemical Operator where he received the WWII Victory Medal as well as other awards. After his time in service he then attended Pilot School with aid from the GI Bill to receive both his Commercial and Private pilot license soon becoming a Captain with Delta Airlines where he maintained his career from 1956-1988.

 Throughout his career Mr. Wilkinson captained countless both domestic and international flights at the height of many public figures' careers including The Beatles, professional sports teams including the Braves (both as Milwaukee and Atlanta), Muhammad Ali and other public figures. Hal was an avid sports fan and devoted several years to coaching youth sports leagues and always made it a priority to treat his beloved Mother to her favorite baseball teams' games, the Cubs at Fenway Park.

Mr. Wilkinson retired from Delta and in his retirement years you would most likely find him on a golf course with his retired buddies or traveling. In his later years he enjoyed spending his days treating his wife Ethelda to lunch and dinner at their favorite eateries almost every day of the week and making precious memories; with his friends and family to last a lifetime. Mr. Wilkinson was a Mason and Shriner and upheld those responsibilities with pride and integrity.

 Services will be held in Hiawassee, GA at Banister-Cooper Funeral Home on Monday, June 12. Family will accept visitors from 11-12 and funeral memorial service following at 12pm. Interment will follow service at Lower Bell Creek Cemetery where Mr. Wilkinson's ashes will be laid to rest next to his beloved wife Ethelda.

Banister-Cooper Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements and Reverend Dannie Reed will be officiating.

 In lieu of flowers; donations can be made in Hal's remembrance to your local Shriner's or Masonic Organization or Lower Bell Creek Cemetery.

 The family appreciates the prayers, love and support from our community beyond words and would like to extend extra gratitude to their wonderful 24 hour caregiving team for loving and caring for Hal and his beloved Ethelda right until they both left us Earthside.

 

https://www.banisterfuneral.com/obituaries/ethelda-wilkinson-1

 

Ethelda Rebecca Wilkinson (Gribble)

May 27, 1937 — November 6, 2021

 

Mrs. Ethelda Rebecca Gribble Wilkinson, 84, passed away Saturday morning, November 6, 2021 peacefully at her home on Lower Bell Creek Road. Mrs. Wilkinson was born in Towns County, Georgia on May 27, 1937 the oldest daughter of Clarence Napoleon and Mary Ethel Hooper Gribble. She is preceded in death by her parents, Clarence & Mary Gribble and grandparents, Don and Ruth Gribble of Hiawassee.