W. F. Wilkerson
W. F. Wilkerson Dies Suddenly at Casper Sun Night
W. F. Wilkerson, 60, former Lusk resident and prominent Casper and Wyoming business man, died at Casper early Sunday evening.
A prominent civic and Democratic Party leader, his death came with a shocking suddenness. Though he suffered a slight heart attack a short time ago, he had improved to the extent that he was again attending to his business affairs as usual.
He went to his office Sunday evening and was working at his desk when a sudden feeling of illness prompted him to telephone his son, Ernest Wilkerson, Casper attorney. The elder Wilkerson was dead when his son arrived at the office.
Mr. Wilkerson went to Casper from Lusk in 1916. In 1917 he founded Wyoming Automotive, an auto supply concern, which has since become State-wide, with branches in Sheridan, Cheyenne, Rock Springs, Powell, Rawlins, Riverton, Torrington and Worland.
He was a man who took great civic responsibility, being ardent in his promotion of reclamation, was 20 years a member of the board of the Casper Salvation Army, served on school boards, was president of Rotary and many other activities.
Mr. Wilkerson took an active part in the Democratic Party. He served on the board of the State Department of Commerce and Industry, and on the Wyoming Water Conservation board. During the war he was appointed district manager of the War Production Board in Wyoming, and served in several other capacities.
Mr. Wilkerson was born in Girard, Kansas, June 14, 1889. He is survived by his wife; a son, Ernest, and two grandchildren of Casper; a sister, Flora Peterson of Girard, Kan.; and two brothers, John and Charles Wilkerson of Kansan City, Mo.
Funeral services were being held this Wednesday at 2:00 o'clock at the Horstman-Gay Chapel, with Capt. James L. Berry of the Salvation Army officiating. Interment will be made in Highland Cemetery.