Robert Wilkinson Sr.

Robert A. Wilkinson Sr.

Robert A. Wilkinson Sr., 91, of Springfield, Virginia, and formerly a long time resident of Arrington, Virginia, died on Sunday, November 7, 2010.

He was born February 26, 1919, in Richmond, Virginia, and attended Richmond public schools including John Marshall High School.

He was preceded in death by his wife, the late Lois Spencer Wilkinson; his parents, Robert Winn and Lizzie Foizey Wilkinson; and his sister, Margaret Wilkinson Otter.

He is survived by his brother, Douglas Wilkinson, and his wife, Jacki, of Tallahassee, Florida; his sons, Robert A. Wilkinson Jr. and his wife, Mary Lee, of Chantilly, Virginia; Spencer W. Wilkinson and his wife, Dorcas, of Marietta, Georgia, and Thomas G. Wilkinson of Mt. Arlington, New Jersey; his grandchildren, Robert Wilkinson III and his wife, Leah, William Wilkinson and his wife, Wendy, Spencer Wilkinson Jr., Andrea Wilkinson, Thomas Wilkinson Jr. and his wife, Alissa, Adam Wilkinson, Jessica (Bree) Wilkinson Hierholzer, and Austin Wilkinson; and great-grandchildren, Robert Wilkinson IV and Katherine Wilkinson; his brother and sister-in-law, Preston and Virginia Spencer; sister-in-law, Mary Harvey Spencer; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Bob served in the Virginia Army National Guard beginning in 1937 and later with the United States Army during World War II. After moving to Nelson County he was a clerk and bookkeeper for Rucker-Payne Supply Company in Lovingston, Virginia. He then served as Postmaster in Arrington, Virginia, 22922, for 27 years until his retirement in 1982.

Following retirement from the Post Office he worked part-time for the Wells-Sheffield Funeral Chapel. Throughout his life in Arrington, he participated in many community service activities and was active in the Centenary and Nelson United Methodist Churches as a Lay Leader. He was a Charter Member of the Lions of Nelson and received the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award, the highest form of recognition by Lions International. For many years he was active in the Nelson County High School Athletic Booster Club and as a Scout Leader and Scoutmaster for Boy Scouts of America.

The family will receive friends at the Wells/ Sheffield Funeral Chapel, 828 Front Street, Lovingston, Virginia, from 6 until 8 p.m. Tuesday, November 9, 2010.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, November 10, 2010, at the Nelson United Methodist Church, 5239 Thomas Nelson Highway, Route 29, Arrington, Virginia. Internment following at Centenary Memorial Cemetery in Arrington, Virginia, with military rites accorded by VFW Post 7701 of Arrington.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: The Nelson United Methodist Church Building Fund, 5239 Thomas Nelson Highway, Arrington, VA 22922.

Arrangments by Wells/Sheffield Funeral Chapel, Lovingston, 434-263-4097.


This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.