Thaddeus A. "Ted" Wilkinson

Retired LCDR Thaddeus A. "Ted" Wilkinson, a WWII Naval Aviator, of Lillian, Alabama, passed away March 4, 2006 at a nursing home in Bay Minette, Alabama.He was born May 15, 1919 in Corpus Christi, Texas. His parents were Thaddeus Archiebald and Elsie Emelie (Kristyn) Wilkinson, Sr. He attended Corpus Christi High School Class of 1937 and Del Mar College Class of 1941.He was preceded in death by his son, Joseph L. Wilkinson; one sister, Lillie Belle (Sallie) (Sterling P.) Baber; and four brothers: Clarence O. Wilkinson, Roy L. Wilkinson, Clifton J. Wilkinson; and Raymond A. Wilkinson.He is survived by his wife, Helen D. (Gautier) Wilkinson of Lillian, Alabama; four brothers, Harold "Roy" (Lorrie) Wilkinson of Pensacola, Florida, Glenn D. (Nolene) Wilkinson of Hawaii, Frances "Todd" Wilkinson of Range, Alabama, and Jeffery G. (Rebecca) Wilkinson of Orlando, Florida; four daughters; Denise E. (Keith) Carson of Yorktown, Virginia, Desiree M. Wilkinson of Norfolk, Virginia, Regina D. Baniakas of Pensacola, Florida, and Kateri M. Wilkinson of Springfield, Virginia; one brother, George M. (Mary Jane) Wilkinson of Corpus Christi, Texas; one brother-in-law, Henry "Bernard" (Janice) Gautier of Pascagoula, Mississippi; one sister-in-law, Bessiegene (Little) (Clarence O.) Wilkinson; nine grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.He was a member and past Governor of the Edward Doty Colony, Society of Mayflower Descendants; Del Mar College Former Students' Association; Retired Officers Association; life member VFW; Pensacola Association of Realtors; Fleet Reserve Association; USNR Ready Reserves; and US Navy Memorial. He served in the US Navy from July 14, 1941, was transferred to USNR Inactive October 26, 1954, and joined the Ready Reserves July 1, 1963. He served as a Naval Aviator and Instrument Flight Instructor with various Patrol Plane Squardron - VP-125, VP-135, VP-153, VP-5 - with shore duties at NAS Norfolk, Virginia and NAS Columbus, Ohio. After his service with the Navy, he served with the US Navel Training Device Center and as a member of Chief of Naval Education and Training Staff, where he retired June 30, 1974. Retirement included playing tennis with the "Over 50 and Under the Hill Gang" of Pensacola, Florida; a few rounds of golf; and selling real estate as a general partner in Better Homes Realty Inc. of Pensacola, Florida. Visitation will be Thursday, March 9, 2006 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Oak Lawn Funeral Home.Funeral Service will be at 10:00 a.m. Friday, March 10, 2006 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Lillian, Alabama with burial to follow in the Barrancas National Cemetery, NAS Pensacola, Florida.Arrangements under:Oak Lawn Funeral Home619 New Warrington Rd.Pensacola, FL 32506