Thomas Carl Wilkerson

Thomas C. "Big T" Wilkerson, 82, of Owensboro passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 19, 2009 at his home surrounded by family. He was born on Feb. 28, 1927, the third of five children to the late Wallace and Ermina Wilkerson. A member of St. Stephen's Catholic Church, he was a veteran of World War II and was honored for his service in 2002 by then-Gov. Paul Patton. He began a career in construction in the 1950's, and it led to his founding of Wilkerson Plastering & Acoustics, Inc. in 1963. He retired in 1993, and the company still operates today. He enjoyed dancing, bird watching, baseball, and woodworking, but he especially loved spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. In his later years, he also enjoyed spending time at the Elizabeth Munday Center. Mr. Wilkerson was married twice. He married his first wife, the late Lillian Lois Hamilton Wilkerson in 1952. She passed away in 1976. He married his second wife, Hallie Louise Myles Wilkerson in 1982, and she passed away in 1993. In his later years, he enjoyed the company of Margaret Hall of Owensboro, who was his dancing partner and close friend. He was also preceded in death by two brothers, the late James "Bud" Wilkerson and Gerald "Jerry" Wilkerson.
Survivors include four daughters, Jolene (Glenn) Harkins, Theresa (Barry) Tichenor, Susie Shouse, and Amy (Bill) Payne, all of Owensboro, five sons, Mike (Lynn) Wilkerson and Perry Wilkerson of Owensboro, Steve (Lori) Wilkerson of Philpot, John (Teri) Wilkerson of Newburgh, IN, and Keith (Krista) Wilkerson of Lexington, KY, a sister, Sr. Theresa Marie Wilkerson of Mt. St. Joseph's, two brothers, Robert (Katherine) Wilkerson and John O. (Norma) Wilkerson of Owensboro, a sister-in-law, Phyllis Wilkerson of Calumet City, IL, 19 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, April 22 at St. Stephen's Cathedral at 12:05 pm. Visitation will be at Glenn Funeral Home on Tuesday, April 21 from 10 am to 8 pm, prayers will be said at 6 p.m. Visitation will continue on Wednesday at 8:30 am. Burial will be at Resurrection Cemetery in Philpot. Pallbearers will be his grandchildren.
The family requests that memorial contributions be made in Mr. Wilkerson's memory to The Hospice of Western Kentucky, 723 Harvard Dr, Owensboro, KY 42301 and/or the Elizabeth Munday Senior Center, 1650 West 2nd St., Owensboro, KY 42301.