James Wilkinson

James Milton Wilkinson of West Point, 85, our beloved husband, father, and grandfather passed away on Thursday, August 19, 2016 at his home with his loving wife, Margaret, by his side; following a battle with Multiple Myeloma Cancer.

He was born on December 27, 1930 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Laura Caroline Hansen and James Maddison Wilkinson.

He attended High school at East High School in Salt Lake City.  At the age of 17 he joined the United States Navy. He served on the USS Princeton and USS Boxer Aircraft Carriers as an Aviation Ordinance Man working on fighter and dive bomber aircraft before and during the Korean War.  He worked for Hill Air Force Base as an aircraft mechanic. He was also chosen to oversee quality assurance in the construction of the Royal Saudi Air Force Base in Taif, Saudi Arabia on a two year duty.  When he retired, he was a Section Chief in the Aircraft Quality Division at Hill Air Force Base.

He married Meriam Foster Richins in the Salt Lake Temple on September 18, 1953.  They were blessed with a son, Kirt, and a daughter, Laura.  Meriam tragically passed away on July 24, 1995.  Jim was fortunate to find love again, and married Margaret Griffin Hansen on March 12, 1999 in the Bountiful, Utah Temple, gaining six stepchildren.

Jim was a member of the LDS church where he served as a counselor in the Stake Sunday School, a Stake Institute Coordinator, and a Temple Ordinance Worker in the Ogden, UT Temple.

He enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening, and was a fan of football and baseball.  His favorite vacation spot was Hawaii, where he traveled 33 times! He also had a 4 month tour of duty in France and visited London, Zurich, and Athens.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret, his children: Kirt (Colleen) Wilkinson, and Laura (Curt) Nowling, and his stepchildren: AnnaLee (Roger) Tillman, Melanie (Mike) Hoth, Shon Hansen, Deron (Emily) Hansen, JoLyn (Buddy) Young; eight grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, 24 step grandchildren, and 16 step great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Meriam, his brother, Richard, and sisters: Dolores, Dorothy, DeCarma, Kathrine and step-son, Eric Theron Hansen.

Funeral services will be held, Thursday, August, 25, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary 1867 North Fairfield Rd., Layton, UT. Friends may visit with family Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Thursday from 9:30-10:30 am. at the mortuary.

Interment at the West Point Cemetery.

We would like to express our thanks to Dignity Home Healthcare and Hospice for their patience and loving care.