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William Wilkins Obituary
Nov. 2, 1921 - July 25, 2015
Bossier City, LA - Dr. W. C. (Bill) Wilkins, died on Saturday, July 25, 2015 at the Northwest Louisiana War Veteran's Home.
Graveside Service with Honor Guard will be held 2 p.m. Friday, August 7 at the Northwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery.
Dr. Wilkins was born on November 2, 1921 in Minden, LA to W.C. Wilkins and Stella Phillips Wilkins. His mother died during a tornado in 1933 while protecting her young son. Bill attended Creswell Elementary School and Byrd High School. He graduated from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge in 1942. At LSU he was a member of Kappa Sigma social fraternity and the Scabbard and Blade honor society.
He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the infantry reserve of the United States Army after completing ROTC training at LSU and served in Europe during World War II where he received Bronze Stars for his service. He remained a Captain in the Infantry Reserve until 1952. In January, 2015 he was awarded The Insignia of Chevalier of Legion of Honor from the French Government for his service during the war.
After returning from the war, Bill entered Loyola University School of Dentistry in New Orleans and graduated in 1950. He practiced dentistry in Shreveport for 50 years. Bill joined the South Shreveport Rotary Club in 1953 and remained an active member until recently. He was also a charter member of the National World War II Museum in New Orleans. An avid outdoorsman, Bill enjoyed hunting and fishing.
Bill Wilkins married Ruth Hostetter Staman in 1942 and they had two daughters, Carol Ann and Ruth Louise. He is survived by his former wife Ruth Staman Auxter, daughter Carol Wilkins Kennan and husband William Gary Kennan of New Orleans, Louisiana; his daughter Dr. Ruth Orth of Pensacola, Florida; his grandchildren, Tracy Kennan and husband Anthony Donado, Ashley Kennan Einolf and husband Brian, Roger Orth and wife Ashley, and Robyn Orth; and great grandchildren Rimes and Lola Donado.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the National Parkinson Foundation www.parkinson.org
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
4 Entries
For the Commanders, Carroll R. Michaud
August 12, 2015
The Final Salute
Brothers in Arms, Military men and women down through the centuries, have traditionally exchanged Hand Salutes as a sign of recognition and as a way to render courtesy and respect one to another.
This Hand Salute is the last that we shall render to William Charles (Bill) Wilkins, Jr. our Brother-in-Arms. To his family it symbolizes the love and respect that we have for Bill. And to Bill it is rendered as a symbol of honor and gratitude to thank him for the devoted and selfless service he rendered to his country during WW-II while serving in the U.S. Army. Bill, we commend you for your honorable service. You are a true patriot, who served with honor and distinction. You upheld the finest qualities of an American patriot warrior: courage, commitment, generosity, sacrifice, love and devotion to family and country. You were a true friend. We bid you a sad farewell. You will be dearly missed from among our ranks. Be at Ease. Rest in Peace.
On behalf of the 1,061 military veteran Legionnaires of Lowe-McFarlane Post 14 of the American Legion and the 233 veterans of VFW Post 2238 in Shreveport, Louisiana, we extend our sympathies and our condolences to Bill's family and loved ones.
Edward L. Lamb, Commander, American Legion Post 14
5315 South Lakeshore Drive, Shreveport, LA 71109
James Mazariz, Commander, VFW Post 2238
1245 Gary Street, Shreveport, LA 71101
For the commanders by, Carroll R. Michaud
August 7, 2015
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Ashley Einolf
August 6, 2015
We love and miss you Papa
August 5, 2015
He was a stalwart and beacon in the dental community for decades. He will be missed.
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