William Wilkinson

1937 - 2024

MAHOMET - William John Wilkinson, 87, passed away Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, at home.

Born in Oak Park on Aug. 8, 1937, Bill was the first son of Grace Witt and John A. Wilkinson, with his brother, Richard Wilkinson, preceding him in death.

Bill grew up in Maywood, graduating from Proviso East High School. He earned a bachelor of science and a master of business administration from Bradley University in Peoria.

He married Karen Van Dyke on July 11, 1964, in Morrison. They celebrated their 60th anniversary this summer.

He is survived by his wife, Karen; son and daughter-in-law Rafi Wilkinson and Beth Rutherford and grandchildren Alex, Ian, Andrew and Owen; and son and daughter-in-law Brad and Nancy Wilkinson and grandchildren Maddie and Emma.

Bill worked for Abbott Laboratories from 1968 until 1981, including five years in Puerto Rico, where he made some of his fondest memories. He moved to Mahomet in 1982 and began teaching part time at Parkland Junior College. He was a passionate educator and taught over 70 semesters of marketing and management classes. He was also director of the University of Illinois Small Business Development Center and really enjoyed working with small-business owners.

Bill loved the arts, especially classical music, and was a season ticket holder for over 40 years at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts. He enjoyed watching all manner of University of Illinois athletics and was a season ticket holder since 1982. Bill volunteered at and served as the treasurer for the Mahomet Helping Hands food pantry for nearly 15 years. He was a volunteer tax-preparer for the AARP for many years. He was a member of the Mahomet United Methodist Church since 1982.

Bill really enjoyed snow skiing, golfing, running marathons, triathlons and ran the Boston Marathon. He and his wife, Karen, were avid travelers and were fortunate to see much of the world. He loved visiting his two sons and six grandchildren and was present for so many events, competitions and graduations. He had endless curiosity and loved learning. Bill never stopped moving, never slowed down and lived life to the fullest.

A celebration of life visitation and luncheon will be on Saturday, Nov. 23, from 11 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. with a memorial service to follow at 1:30 p.m. at the Mahomet United Methodist Church, 1302 E. South Mahomet Road, Mahomet.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Mahomet Helping Hands, P.O. Box 254, Mahomet, IL 61853; Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, 500 S. Goodwin Ave., Urbana, IL 61801; or the Mahomet United Methodist Church.