Mr. John Smith Wilkerson, Jr., 91, passed away on May 9, 2018, at his home in Lake Wylie, South Carolina. 

Mr. Wilkerson was born in Hickory Grove, South Carolina on August 25, 1926.  He was the son of the late John Smith Wilkerson and Elma Merritt Wilkerson.  He was one of eight children and was predeceased by his sisters Nanelle Hood Castles, Dot Gaddy Pearce, Carmen Anderson, Johnsie Moore, and Ruth Perry; one brother, William Wilkerson; and his step-daughter Gretchen Welch. 

Mr. Wilkerson is survived by his wife, Sandee; brother Merritt Wilkerson (Terry Jane) of Rock Hill; three children John Smith Wilkerson, III (Sharon) of Johns Island, Mark Wilder Wilkerson (Tina) of Rock Hill, and Terri Wilkerson Burns (Sam) of Gaffney; eight grandchildren Beth Wilkerson Merrill (Mike), Catherine Burns Sanchez (Henry), Amy Wilkerson Wilson (Dan), Laura Burns Geary (Donnie), Mark Wilkerson, Jr. (Katherine), Becky Burns, Charlie Burns (Carly),  Margaret Wilkerson, and six great-grandchildren.

As a young man Mr. Wilkerson served in the US Navy as a Boatswain’s Mate and graduated from Clemson College with a degree in physics. He was the owner of Wilkerson Oil Company along with his brother Merritt.  He later became the owner of River Hills Realty.  Mr. Wilkerson was a charter member of the River Hills Community Church, a member of the River Hills Lion Club, and founding member of the Lake Wylie Chamber of Commerce where he received both the Businessman of the Year and Citizen of the Year awards.  He was a Grand Master of the Free Mason Lodge in Sharon, South Carolina.  Mr. Wilkerson was well known in York County as a historian having authored the book York County Yesterday & Today 1550 to 2005, and was a popular speaker.

Services will be held at River Hills Community Church, Lake Wylie, SC at 1:30 PM on Tuesday, May 15, 2018 with the Rev. Gayle Montgomery officiating.  The family will receive friends following the service. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to River Hills Rescue Squad, 4 Heritage Drive, Lake Wylie, SC 29710 - rhems.org/donate.html , or River Hills Community Church, 104 Hamilton’s Ferry Road, Lake Wylie, SC 29710  - rhcconline.org/giving.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.