William McAllister Wilkinson II

As blue eyed blonde identical twins, growing up, Billy and George were often the center of attention wherever they went. When young, they loved to mold iron soldiers both British and American, spending hours painting them to perfection from the beautiful pictures in the encyclopedia. Billy could name every type of soldier in any war just by their uniform.

Billy was born July 12, 1950 in Danville, Pennsylvania while his Dad was doing an internship at Geisinger Clinic in internal medicine. Billy attended Donaldson Elementary, Hughes Junior High, and The McCallie School in Chattanooga. He was a graduate of USC Upstate. While at McCallie, he played on the junior high football team. Billy was a Boy Scout and a member of the Cleveland Street YMCA when it was under the direction of Monk Mulligan. He and George spent countless hours every weekend playing ping pong at the Y as did all the boys his age especially sine he lived right down the street. Billy went to Camp Greenville and Camp Old Indian with his identical twin, George.

Billy was an excellent letter writer. He wrote letters home, from camp, from McCallie, and from vacations. When the family was in Martha’s Vineyard in 1967, Billy stayed in the hotel room writing letters to Mimi until Daddy rented him and George a Boston Whaler.

On December 1, 1969, the US Selective Service System conducted two lotteries to determine the order of call to military service in the Vietnam War for men born from January 1, 1944 to December 31, 1950. President Johnson called off the birthdays each time he pulled out a number. This was broadcast on tv while Billy and George were in their freshman year at Presbyterian College. Mama, Daddy, and MaryEllen watched from the upstairs tv room. When he called out July 12 and then number 15 our parents both burst into tears. Billy was drafted and was sent to Korea which was the jumping off point to Vietnam. He was there 2 long cold years and by the Grace of the Lord and Millie, he did not go to Vietnam.

Billy lived his life as the duke of Windsor. He was a sharp dresser and had impeccable manners. He greeted everyone. His favorite cologne was Jade East.

Billy loved horse racing. He knew every horse every year at the Kentucky Derby and their odds. After a trip to the Kentucky Derby one year with his parents the Pimms cup became his favorite drink.

Around 1982, Billy opened Marsh and Meadow, a wildlife portrait and frame gallery. It was a first of its kind and way ahead of the curve. In the 1980's and 90's Billy was active in many wildlife conservation groups: Ducks Unlimited, NWTF, TU, and QU. In 2005 Billy and his brother, George, formed Whippoorwill Farms, as organic vegetable producers. They were vendors in the 1st downtown Greenville Farmer's Market on Court St. Billy was a wonderful father and made many memories with his kids at our family farm.

He was the son of the late Dr. George Richard Wilkinson, Jr. and the late Mildred Roper Wilkinson (Millie). Billy is survived by his loving companion of many years, Peggy Miller. They enjoyed many trips and cruises together. Peggy’s devotion to Billy and his kids was shown in her family holiday meals and learning to cook Billy’s favorite recipes from his childhood. They lived on a farm in Campobello and had many friends and a large social life together. Also surviving: Billy’s daughter Mary Lydia Wilkinson West, husband Marc (Ian) West, granddaughter Mary McAllister (Alli) Fisher, Stone Mountain, Georgia. Billy’s son, William (Will) McAllister Wilkinson lll and his wife Kacie Waldrop Wilkinson and grandchildren: Anne Frazier Wilkinson and William McAllister (Mac) Wilkinson lV and Keegan Jeremiah Waldrop, Greenville, SC. Daughter Anne Busché Wilkinson, Charleston, SC. Son Thomas Albert Goode, Gaffney, SC. Sisters: Richie Roper Wilkinson Bologni and husband, John Louis Bologni, Walnut Creek, Ca., MaryEllen Wilkinson, Travelers Rest, SC, and Milicent Anne Wilkinson, Greenville, SC. Many nieces and nephews will miss his quick wit. Billy’s ashes will be interred alongside his brother in Springwood Cemetery, Greenville, SC. The family wishes to omit flowers.

Memorials may be made to: YMCA Camp Greenville ymcagreenville.org.