Robert W. Wilkerson

On January 1st, 1930, Robert W. Wilkerson began his day long journey into life in Minden, West Virgina. He was the son of Levi and Beulah Wilkerson. His parents were unable to care for him due to illness. Bob, from the ages of 6 to 16, grew up at Davis Stuart Children’s home, located in Greenbriar County in West Virgina. His deceased sisters include Christine Wilkerson, Sally Wilkerson, Mary Jackson, and Katie Smith. He attended Berea Foundation School and graduated from Berea College with a degree in Agriculture. His college education was interrupted when he joined the U.S. Marine Corps where he served for three proud years from 1951-1954. He retired from a position as the Director of WEDCO, District Health Department, and earlier worked as a state and Bourbon Co. Environmentalist.
He provided a happy, secure home for his wife, Juantia Turpin Wilkerson, and four children, three daughters- Robbin Blough, Rhonda (H.A) Musser, Beth (Alfred) Hammond, and a son- Bobby (Becky) Wilkerson. His beloved grandchildren- Alyssa Blough, Austin (Meggin) Musser, Joel (Nancy) Musser, Hannah Musser, Samuel (Carly) Musser, Sarah (Aaron) Eisele, Katie Hammond, Tyler Hammond, Jordan (Oakley) Maggard, and Cameron Wilkerson. He enjoyed his large family with sixteen great-grandchildren- Michael, Lizzie, Ella, Zeke, and Virgina Musser, J.J., Natalie, Brianna, Maria and Katie Musser, Averie Patterson, Kara Maggard, Cali James, Emalyn Mitchel and Braxton Conkright.
He was a 66-year member of the First Presbyterian Church of Paris, where he served as Elder, Youth Director, and Sunday school teacher. Tennis was an important part of Bob’s life from ages 13 to 92! He played tennis in the U.S.T.A, a fifty and over group, and even played in the U.S. Senior Olympics, twice. His tennis nickname was “Baseline Bob”.
Bob served as a member of the Paris Independent School Board for two terms. He also served as member of the board for the Bellewood Children’s Home of Kentucky. Filming the Paris High School football team was one of his favorite activities. He was an amateur photographer, stained glasses designer, vegetable gardener, and international traveler. His favorite reading material was National Geographic and Smithsonian magazines. Bob was a quiet, kind, hard-working, and humble man, who loved life, and was well known for his wit and humor.
Funeral service for Robert “Bob” W. Wilkerson will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 24, 2025, at First Presbyterian Church in Paris with officiant Darnaby Kerns. Interment will follow in Paris cemetery with casket bearers being Samuel Musser, Tyler Hammond, Aaron Eisele, Oakley Maggard, Shane Turpin, Austin Musser, and Joel Musser. With honorary bearers being Bill Worford, Bob Hollingsworth, Michelle Wilkerson, and Roy and Thomas Barney. Visitation was on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the church, and prior to the service on Thursday, April 24, 2025, from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. at the church. www.hintonturner.com
Preferred Donations to:
Kids Cancer Alliance via Lexington Tennis Club: The Annual Pavo Loco Charity Tennis Tournament, Buckhorn Children’s Foundation, Bellewood Children’s Home