William Walker Wilkins

A Private Family Inurnment will be held in the Geneva Public Cemetery. William Walker Wilkins was born in Geneva, Nebraska on October 24, 1923 to Earl Hall Wilkins and Grace Walker Wilkins. He passed away in Sun City, Arizona on Saturday, July 18th, 2020 at the age of 96 years. William grew up in Geneva and was a member of the Congregational Church. He graduated from Geneva Public High School in 1941 and then enrolled in the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. In April 1943, during World War II, William was called to active duty in the army of the United States. After completing basic training at Camp Roberts, California, he was assigned to Headquarters Battery of the 363rd Field Artillery Battalion which was attached to the 96th Infantry Division then in the Bend Maneuver Area of eastern Oregon. He was a radio operator. He served in the campaigns on the Island of Leyte in the Philippine Islands and the Japanese possession of Okinawa. He was discharged at Fort Logan, Colorado on February 7, 1946, Technician 5th Grade. On returning to the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, he was assistant business manager of the “Daily Nebraskan”, the university newspaper. In January 1949, he graduated from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln with a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics. In January 1950, William was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Air Force Reserve. He was later promoted to 1st Lieutenant. In August 1950, he was employed by the Farmers State Bank, Fairmont, Nebraska where he was assistant cashier and director. In May 1951, he was employed by the Shickley State Bank, Shickley, Nebraska as cashier. In February 1953, he received a Master of Arts degree from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. On June 18, 1960, William married Nancy Ann Spring at St. James Methodist church in Bellevue Nebraska, and they setup housekeeping in Shickley Nebraska. In 1963 a son, Thomas Spring Wilkins was born. William served on the board of trustees of the village of Shickley for many years and was chairman for three years. He was also secretary and treasurer of the Shickley Commercial Club for many years, and a member of the Shickley American Legion Post for over 60 years. In 1978, he became president of the Shickley State Bank. He received a 50 Year Nebraska Banker award. In 1983, he established a vacation home in Sun City, Arizona, and became a member of the Willowbrook Methodist Church, in Sun City. In 1986, he was employed by the Geneva State Bank as Vice President. In 1994, he became president of the Geneva State Company, a holding company for the Geneva State Bank. In October 2001, William and Nancy moved to Lindgren Avenue in Sun City, Arizona. In July 2012, they moved to Royal Oaks life care in Sun City. William enjoyed serving in the community and working on his ranch in Shickley Nebraska, and later at his ranch near Wittmann Arizona. William was preceded in death by father, Earl H. Wilkins and Mother, Grace Walker Wilkins, brother Hugh F. Wilkins, and wife Nancy Spring Wilkins. Survivors at the time of his passing were son Thomas S. Wilkins, daughter-in-law Wanying Wilkins, grandson William Z. Wilkins, brother Robert E. Wilkins, sister Beth M. Wilkins, and many nieces and nephews.

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William Walker Wilkins

October 24, 1923 - July 18, 2020