Kimberly Hayes Wilkerson

Kimberly Hayes Wilkerson departed this life November 17, 2017 with his beloved wife of 40 years, June, at his side. Kim, also endearingly known as Kimbo or Wooh, was attended by many loving family members and friends at the end of his long battle with Leukemia at the age of 63. He was a lifelong Mississippian and a proud Navy veteran. He left college at the age of 19 to join the Navy and see the world during the Vietnam War. After the Navy he returned home and attended the University of South Alabama on the GI bill graduating with a B.S. in nursing. He worked as a nurse at the V.A. in Biloxi for 22 years retiring in 2001 after suffering from a severe stroke. He was loved by both colleagues and the veterans he took care of and he often joined in their recreation playing pool and socializing with them at his workplace. These same colleagues lovingly took care of Kim following his stroke, encouraging him in his rehabilitation. Kimbo was known as a lover of the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He organized big family campouts on his property in Benndale, MS, passing on his passion for the woods to his sons, nieces, and nephews. He kept his pond stocked with fish so that the kids would always catch “the big one”. Kim achieved Eagle Scout when he was 16 and told stories of his canoeing adventures in the wilderness of Minnesota. Later as a science technician with NAVO, he traveled to the Indian Ocean, where he crossed the equator and underwent the ceremony to change from a lowly pollywog to a shellback! He also had a great passion for music, playing 7 instruments over his lifetime. He was a talented tuba player and marched with the Biloxi High Indian Band under Prof Carpenter from 1970 through 72. He continued on to play in the Gulf Coast Community Band until his stroke in 2001. He particularly loved playing at venues during the Christmas season. One of his greatest passions was animals, particularly his dogs, big and small. He raised Springer Spaniels, Australian Shepherds, Schnauzers, chickens (who he gave endearing names such as Saintett and Turkey Lurkey ), ducks, fish, and even had a calf at one time. This was the life he loved with his family. Kim is survived by his wife Junie, two brothers Chris and Kelvin, two sons and their spouses, Zach and Deidre, Ben and Denee, and granddaughter Laniyah, his “adopted” sister Denise Tancredi, 25 nephews and nieces, and two adoring schnauzer dogs Chevy and Gertie who often accompanied him on walks to visit his wife Junie who taught math at Ocean Springs High School near their home. A Celebration for Life Memorial will be held December 2, 2017 at 10 a.m. at Gulf Islands National Seashore, Ocean Springs, Boat Ramp Pavilion #5 (Turn onto Park Rd from Hwy 90, then right on McGhee Rd, then left on Boat Ramp Rd, pavilion at end) Please arrive early as parking is limited and bring camp chairs if possible. Donations to http://www.cllfoundation.org may be made in lieu of flowers. A Son’s Tribute to His Dad With a heavy soul and heavier heart my Mom June, my brother Ben, and I said goodbye to my dad, Kim "Wooh" Wilkerson today after an 8-year battle with cancer. He stayed positive throughout it, which is a tough thing to do but he was made of tougher stuff. The man was the true John McClain, the inspiration for the movie “Die Hard.” He'd beat a coma in the 70's, got through a major car accident and stayed strong through a stroke for my mom, his eternal love and best friend in the world. Til the end he wanted to make sure she was taken care of and had accepted what was to come. A veteran, an accomplished nurse, a true desperado, and the biggest baddest bear I ever knew. He loved the Gulf, the country, animals, and music, but most of all he loved his family and friends the most. I was fortunate enough to spend this last week with him and he hung on long enough for me to get back to my wife before he left us all. If any of you want to cry about it I know he'd tell you "I kick yo aaa…!" because though as sad and painful and upsetting as this has been, he would want us all to celebrate his life rather than mourn his passing. There's lots of mourning and grief ahead but I just hear him saying all those Dad things in my head and I laugh through the tears. Dad, I'm going to miss you until the day I pass through this place and find you on the other side. Maybe then we'll get that beer we never got to share, raising hell up in heaven. I love you…Zach