Willie Ray Wilkinson

Willie R. Wilkinson completed his earthly journey on February 7, 2023. He was 93 years old. Willie was born in Harwood, Texas, on June 20, 1929, the sixth child of Laura Lee McMillan and Willie Lafayette Wilkinson. His mother died before Willie’s third birthday, and his father, a rural mail carrier and farmer, raised him with the help of relatives and caring neighbors. When Willie’s father died in 1946, he left college and moved to Falfurrias, a community he was well familiar with from frequent visits to his sister Jo Wilkinson Keener and brother Ed who had settled here. While living in an apartment above the old fire station, he went to work for Ed Lasater at the Creamery. He was working there when he met his wife to be, Annabelle “Ann” Brochet, at a Stanley Products party that was hosted by mutual friends. They began dating, and on March 12, 1950, they married in Elgin, Texas. The couple returned to Falfurrias after their honeymoon to begin their life together, which ended only with Ann’s death from Covid in 2020.

Willie joined the Falfurrias Methodist Church in 1948 and remained an active member until his declining health prohibited his regular attendance. Among his favorite services were the songfests, in which he was an active participant. Church was not the only place where he “made a joyful noise.” He was quick to sing to anyone, anywhere – on the sidewalk, in a grocery store, or a restaurant, etc. – and most people seemed to enjoy it! Plus it gave him great pleasure to have brought a smile to someone’s face.

He became a Master Mason in 1959 and remained active with the Masons for 60 years. During that time, he held every office available.

During his life he held many different jobs, often two or more at once, to support his family. In addition to working at the Creamery, he was an independent contractor for Central Ohio Breeding Association (COBA – later Select Sires) helping local dairymen and ranchers improve their cattle herds. After his brother Ed became Sheriff, he bought Ed’s cows and soon built his own barn and established his own dairy farm. From there he transitioned to custom farming, especially sprigging Coastal Bermuda grass to expand grazing and hay baling options for local farmers and ranchers. Seeing a need for equipment to manage the large, round hay bales that were gaining popularity, he designed, constructed, and sold hay wagons that could also serve as feeders, as well as tractor-fitted lifts for moving the bales. After selling that business, he built a kennel where he specialized in training dogs. When a heart attack slowed him down, he phased out the dog training business and took up trapping and removing the wild pigs that were causing havoc on farms and ranches in the area. Contacts gained through these later businesses led to his being called on to assist with managing dogs at hunting camps. Willie enjoyed being around people, and he fancied himself a master of the short quip, quick to add a “one-liner” to a conversation. Thus, his work at the camps probably involved providing “local color” as much as tending the animals.

Willie supported community activities, as his time allowed. In addition to having served as a volunteer fireman, he assisted with the various fund-raisers sponsored by the Fire Department and Church. He served as auctioneer at watermelon auctions and as parade marshal. He helped with his children’s 4-H and FFA activities in the rifle club and Youth Booster Show.

Family was very important to Willie, and he was a strong supporter of his wife’s genealogy work. As their time and health allowed, he and Ann attended many, many events in their extended family – reunions, homecomings, birthday parties, weddings, funerals, and any other gathering.

He is survived by his children, Lauretta Gerrity (Bud), Patricia Holloway (Jay), Richard Wilkinson (Brenda), Cathy Mong (Larry) and their “like-a-son” grandnephew Michael Ledbetter; his grandchildren, Lane Holloway (Daniela), Allison Holloway (Royal McGraw), Seth Holloway (Andrea), Lacey Wolf (Weylin), Sarah Chrane, John “Jack” Gerrity (Ashley), and Robert Mong (Jessica); 12 great-grandchildren; his many nieces and nephews, to whom he was “Uncle Willie”; and a host of friends. He will be missed.

His life, along with that of his wife Ann, will be celebrated at the First United Methodist Church in Falfurrias at 2:30 pm on March 12, 2023 (the date they would have celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary). A graveside service, yet unscheduled, will be conducted later this year at the Harwood Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests a donation in Willie’s name to the Harwood Cemetery Assoc (P.O. Box 70, Harwood, TX, 78632), the First United Methodist Church of Falfurrias (302 West Allen St., Falfurrias, TX, 78355), or to the charity of your choice.