William Edward Wilkes

William Edward Wilkes, 78, passed away on the 1st of December 2024, in Austin, TX.
Bill was born February 1946, in Bloomington, Illinois to Mr. Walter J. Wilkes of Biloxi, Mississippi and Mrs. Audrey Genders Wilkes of Bloomington, Illinois. He is survived by: his wife Dolores De Jesus Wilkes of 26 years; his children Wade and wife Jennifer, Jonathan and wife Elisabeth, Kristin and husband Roy; his grandchildren Isabella, Tanner, Morgan, Cassidy, and Aiden; his siblings Wade Sr. and wife Kathy Wilkes of Ocean Springs, Mississippi, Audra and husband Danny D'Anelia of Peachtree, Georgia; his nephews and nieces, Adam, Chase, Wade Jr., Jeff, Tony, Michael, Debra Ashely, Emily and Susana; his great nephews, Spencer, Erik, Colton and Hayes.
Bill had a Catholic education from kindergarten through the 12th grade. He played football and ran track during his high school career. He graduated from the all-boy's school of Notre Dame of Biloxi. After high school he voluntarily enlisted in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam Conflict. Bill was stationed in Philadelphia and drove a tractor-trailer with a computer inside to place supply orders for forward Marine units. Bill was one of the first computer pioneers of his time. He graduated from Delaware Valley College in Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Science in Business with a minor in Accounting.
Bill worked for Union Carbide, and then a career with Shell Oil International, bringing him a new kind of excitement and the joy of travelling to many places around the world. His very first trip for Shell was Australia, but there was a problem, Bill and his bride were on their honeymoon. Shell needed him there and paid for his wife to go with him on this very important trip.
Bill enjoyed running marathons, camping, golf, fishing, swimming, boating, coaching soccer, whitewater rafting and even scuba diving. He also enjoyed playing ball with his puppy Finn.
While living out his Catholic faith, Bill adopted two babies and then added two more to his blended family. He taught RCIA in Houston at the St. Bernadette Catholic Church. He was asked to teach RCIA by Father Tim of St. Rose. Bill and his wife retired to a small rural town not far from Houston.
St. Rose became Bill and his wife's home church, where they sang with the Spanish choir and helped select a song of the week. Later, he and his wife came to sing with the English choir.
He is preceded in death by his parents; his loving son, Rene; his sister, Wanda; his brothers-in-law, Johnny Jr. and Angel; his nephew, Jeffrey; his sister-in-law, Maria; and his mother-in-law, Guadalupe.
Services will be held at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Schulenburg, TX, on the 7th of December 2024 at 11:00 A.M. The Funeral Mass will be led by Father Luke Prihoda.
Interment will be held at Grandview Memorial Park in Deer Park, TX, on the 9th of December 2024. The Rite of Committal will be led by Father Jasper Liggio of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church. William will be honored with the United States Marine Corps burial honors following the interment ceremony.
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