Dean Watts Wilkerson

1921 - 2008

Dean Watts Wilkerson, 86, of Bedford, Va., died Thursday, October 9, 2008, in the V.A. Medical Center in Salem. He was born in Bedford on November 22, 1921, a son of the late Gilbert Watts Wilkerson and Sarah Arrington Wilkerson. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Earl Thomas Wilkerson Sr.; and his sister, Sammy W. Dooley and her husband, Thomas J. Dooley Jr., who was also Dean's business partner. Dean was an Army veteran serving in World War II and was wounded at the Battle of the Bulge receiving his Purple Heart. He was the former owner of the North Side Supply and a member of the Bedford Presbyterian Church. Dean was very active in his community including, Shriners, Masonic Lodge and the Elks Lodge. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Nelma Stiff Wilkerson; two sons, Danny Dean Wilkerson and Glenn Watts Wilkerson; and a sister-in-law, Elizabeth Snead Wilkerson. Memorials may be made to Bedford Presbyterian Church, 105 W. Main Street, Bedford, Va. 24523. A memorial service will be held 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 11, 2008, at Bedford Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Francis B. Avery Jr. and the Rev. William Honeywell officiating. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 317 W. Main Street, Bedford, Va., 540-586-7360.