Walter D. "Skip" Wilkins

Walter D. "Skip" Wilkins, 78, of Oscoda, passed away peacefully after a brief illness on Thursday, July 24, 2025 at his home surrounded by his family.
Born Dec. 21, 1946 to Walter and Jean (Droste) Wilkins in Mount Clemens, he was raised there. Skip attended L'Anse Creuse High School, and earned his Bachelor's Degree from Northwood University. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War.
In 1970, Skip moved to Oscoda where he and his step brother, Tom Stojsik, owned and operated S&W Development Dredge Company. Skip was a car salesman for many years, and retired from Alcona Motors in 2005.
On Oct. 6, 2005, he married Lori VanHurk at Niagara Falls. Skip had a real need for speed, and loved riding his motorcycles, Hot Rods, Corvettes, vintage cars, and he enjoyed flying. He loved watching car races, especially drag races. Skip was a former member of the Oscoda Lions, and of the Oscoda Jaycees.
Skip is survived by his wife, Lori; his children, Kim (Luke) Laube of Lincoln, Keith (Jessie) VanHurk of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Cori (Todd) Flack of Illinois; two grandchildren, Taylor Laube and Max Tessem; his step brother, Bob (Marie) Buckley; his sisters-in-law, Kim (Jim) Quick, and Charlene Stojsik; his brothers-in-law, Kevin (Amy) Clark, and Gary Compeau; as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother and step father, Jean and Mickey Buckley; his father, Walter Wilkins; his step brother, Tom Stojsik; his step sister, Judy Compeau; and his father and mother-in-law, R.B. and Sonja Clark.
Memorial visitation will be Tuesday, July 29, from 3 until 8 p.m. at Gillies Funeral Home in Lincoln. Visitation will continue on Wednesday, July 30, from 11 a.m. until the memorial service at 12 p.m. Rev. Reeve Segrest will officiate.