Kenny. It’s been a year. Seems like only a month since you took your last breath and left this old earth. You are so missed by all of us who knew and loved you. I listen to your voice mails from time to time. You always start them with “Hey sis, it’s brother.”  Every one. You called to check on us during storms. Physical storms, tornadoes. Emotional storms. 

Your “Sis” misses you so much. Will always love you 🥰

This was taken on the occasion of Richy’s and Brittany’s wedding.   I love this picture of us and I really miss you Kenny. 
Love always, your little sister. 

My fondest memories of Kenny were from Woodmore Elementary. Of course his mother was the legendary Crossing Guard, and Kenny was as steady and reliable as was she  Remember when you had to have your lunch tray inspected by the teacher to make sure  you ate enough of the healthy stuff? Mostly I brought my lunch, but when I didn't, this was a problem for me. The teachers soon figured out the stuff your milk carton with the gross food trick. Being a very picky eater, that left me with a dilemma. Solution, sit at the same table with Kenny, and he would eat it. He saved me many a lunchtime. Happy to have shared a wonderful childhood with Kenny.

Kenny, became a good friend of mine and we shared many memories together. He was a a professional in every way and a mentor to upcoming emergency professionals. He certainly made a long shadow in his time of emergency service. I look forward to seeing him in eternity thanks to  his relationship with Jesus. He will be missed by all who knew him. 
Sincerely, Danny Lawson former Bradley County EMS Director 

rest in peace Kenny. my Mother  was good friends with Mrs.Wilkerson when she was the crossing guard at Barger Elementary when i was  there.  i saw Kenny through the years as our paths crossed as i have been a part of the S.T.A.R.S. rescue team. Kenny  graduated a year ahead of me at Brainerd H.S.. When i first started at Children"s Hospital in 1982(respiratory therapist,1982-2021), Kenny"s wife Kris helped to orient me and teach me the ropes.   Thankful for this very special family.    tim arnold


So very sorry for your loss.
Rene Young Carver

My prayers are with the Wilkerson Family with the homegoing of Ken.  Ken Wilkerson made a difference in our community.  His leadership skills helped grow the ambulance service, the City of Lakesite, and so much more.  He will be missed.

Ken was a Leader with a Heart.  He knew me through his father during his years with CHCRS, and I knew him since the 1990s from his service at HCEMS.  But I didn't know that he was also, for a time, Mayor of Lakesite.

I was rendered homeless when my house burned down, and was living in my van in a shopping center in Lakesite.  I apparently came to the attention of the Code Enforcement folks, who advised Ken.  No contact was made with me by either.  They could have impounded my van, rendering me worse off.  They didn't.  

Instead, Ken  did some basic research, discovered my knowledge, skills, abilities, and training, and asked the board chairman and chief of the fire department  to make contact with me.  My van was towed at no charge to me to a safe place, and  I was offered a safe secure bunk in the fire department.  

Thanks to Ken, the entire Lakesite fire department and city,  took me under their wings to help with their mission of serving the public. 

Eventually, I was able to purchase a response vehicle from the fire department and now live in it and volunteer with another area department.  

If not for Ken and the fine folks at the fire department in Lakesite, I could have been just another guy living in a tent on 11th Street in Chattanooga.  Thank you, Ken.

So very sorry for the loss of Ken! He was a great person! Condolences to the family .

My condolences to his family.  Chief Wilkerson was always welcoming and professional during my years as the TVA nuclear instructor for HCEMS personnel.    Ken was such a pleasure to work with and his life service for the benefit of others is truly commendable.  

He was an amazing leader and mentor to many people if not all in local Emergency Services.  My condolences to family and work family of such a great man .You have my love,prayers and sympathy. 

I will never forget the many times when I was working security at the MLK building and he would always come out and talk about life ,the little things and our love of Christ.

Zach Butler 
Walden Security for Hamilton County Government Contract 

Ken was a kind and compassionate friend and neighbor for many years.  Words can not express my sympathy for the family, friends and co-workers.

Father, 
You hold time within your hands, and see it all, from beginning to end. Please keep and carry these precious people in their sadness and loss. Cover them with your great wings of love, give their weary hearts rest and their minds sound sleep. Lord, lift their eyes so that they may catch a glimpse of eternity, and be comforted by the promise of heaven.
We ask all this in the precious name of Jesus.

Amen

To Kenny’s family, 
I grew up on the same street as Kenny and his family. It was a wonderful neighborhood full of children. We played together, shared birthday parties together and many other fun times. Shawnee Circle was a great place to grow up  and Kenny was a part of that. I wish the family the peace that passes all understanding. God Bless you all as you work through this loss. I know he will be missed.
Vicki Tidwell Prater

I had many opportunities to interact with Ken Wilkerson throughout my career which involved law enforcement, Fire/rescue service and medical.  In all areas, Ken was always ready to assist in any way.  He was a man of integrity as well as a dedicated public servant and will be sadly missed.  

Allen Branum-President, Soddy-Daisy Fire Fighters Association and retired Law Enforcement (HCSO) 

Katie, I'm so sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you and your family during this time. Keep looking to the hills which cometh your help. May God continue to shower his blessing on you and your family. Sheila and Calvin Smith

Vicki and family,
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your father.  I know this is a difficult time for you and the family, and I pray God grants you (all) peace during this time.   

John 14:1-3
Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.

Ken, you will always hold a special place in my heart. You will be missed greatly. Prayers for you family during this difficult time
Candy Johnson
Hamilton County Juvenile Court

Psalm 116:15.... "Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His Saints."

I am so sorry to hear about this. I consider Kenny to be one of my best and life long friends. He, Dr. Creel and I worked side by side for so many really good years. I trusted him. I respected him. I cared about him. 

We have the same birthday and we never failed to wish each other a happy birthday no matter where we were in the world. 

The world is a sadder place without him. Godspeed my dear friend. I’ll see you someday when the old Triad will be back together again. 

If there is anything at all I can do please reach out no matter what it is. He would have done that for me. 

I am working in Arizona and am unable to attend the memorial service. I am deeply sorry and sad about that. Roger Forgey 423-667-8267

Kenny was a very good man, served his entire life as a leader in Hamilton County Emergency Medical Services and every other undertaking with which he was involved. Huge respect to Kenny and condolences to his friends, co-workers, and family who loved him. May God rest his soul. 

RICHIE, I AM SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS.  YOUR DAD WAS A GREAT GUY.  I KNOW HE LOVED YOU VERY MUCH.  I THOUGHT THE WORLD OF HIM.  
I AM GOING OUT OF TOWN AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ATTEND AND PAY MY RESPECTS.  I AM SO SORRY .

REGRETFULLY,

COACH MCCARSON

So sorry for your loss. Kenny was a great friend and good person. We had many pleasant times together in school, Boy Scouts and local church youth events.

Oh the memories of growing up with Kenny and Kim. We always had fun together at family reunions and our long summer visits.  Thank you for your service, Kenny. Your family is proud of you. Prayers of comfort to you, Kim. 

My Condolences, thoughts and prayers are with the Wilkerson family and friends, Ken was so kind, always helpful and it was always a pleasure working alongside his father Paul at Chattanooga Hamilton County Rescue.

Love,
Kevin L. Frazier

From the Holliday family, we offer our sincerest condolences to the Wilkerson family. Director Wilkerson was a mentor, a leader, and a man that anyone would have been lucky enough to have known. He will be greatly missed by all in the EMS community. God speed sir, we will handle it from here.

So sorry to hear. He was my chief at Hamilton County until my retirement in 2010. I have considered him as a friend and mentor since that day. 

Our thoughts and prayers to the Wilkerson family for this great loss. Ken Wilkerson was a true public servant in our community and will be greatly missed. Ken came from a family of which many members were and continue to be true public servants.

OBITUARY

Kenneth Lee Wilkerson

April 23, 1953 – October 11, 2022

Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist-North Chapel and Hamilton Memorial Gardens

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Past Services

Visitation

Funeral Service

Committal Service