William L. Wilkins

After graduation from Marblehead High School in 1949 William entered the United States Army where he served with the 503rd Airborne Infantry 11th Regiment (82nd Airborne) as a Parachutist at Ft. Campbell, KY during the Korean War era. In addition to his badge as a parachutist, William also received the Army of Occupation Medal (Germany) and the National Defense Service Medal.

Born in Gloucester, MA in 1931, he was the son of the late Leslie and Anne (Foster) Wilkins. He was predeceased by his sister Sally A. Corcoran of Swampscott, his brother Donald A. Wilkins of Texas, and is survived by his sister, Ann Porter of Marblehead. He was raised in Marblehead where he met and married his beloved wife, the late Shirley Ann April, with whom he shared 41 years of marriage.

After 34 years of service as a Patrolman and EMT with the Marblehead Police Department, William (Willie) retired to Standish, Maine with his wife where they had enjoyed many summers vacationing with their four children. He enjoyed many years of hunting and fishing on Sebago Lake, even while caring for his wife at home while she battled a long-term illness.

Willie’s life as Sebago’s rock star fisherman was featured in Down East Magazine, where his skills were described as legendary. The locals were often in search of the “Grey Ghost”, (his CB handle) and his boat the Shirley Ann. Finding Willie was the catch of the day!

William is survived by his 3 daughters, Deborah Carew (Dennis Splitgerber) of Swampscott, Cynthia Wilkins (Lisa Louden) of Marblehead, Lisa Hardwick (Richard) of Marblehead and a son, Douglas Wilkins of Salem. He will be dearly missed by his grandchildren: Morgan Hardwick, Kasey Louden, Olivia Wilkins, her brothers Luke and Tyler Peters and their mother Dawn. He is also survived by his latest cherished Beagle, Ranger.

His friends and neighbors will remember Bill as a kind man who always stopped to say hi during his daily walks with his dog. He was usually seen in a cowboy hat, with a pipe in his mouth and a beagle at the end of a leash. He loved to watch old westerns, car races, and tip back a few with his buddies while jamming on his guitar.

A wake will be held at the Eustis & Cornell Funeral Home, 142 Elm Street, Marblehead on Thursday, January 5 from 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm. Funeral services will be held at Eustis & Cornell on Friday, January 6 at 11:00am. Burial at Waterside Cemetery immediately following with a reading by Alex Carew. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in William’s memory to Beagles of New England States, P.O. Box 1510, New Boston, NH 03070.