Fred M. Wilkerson passed away on January 26, 2009 of complications of emphysema and diabetes. Fred was born to Ralph and Gladyce May Wilkerson in Lovell, Wyoming on June 21, 1926. He was raised and went to school in Lovell. In 1943 during World War II help was hard to find so Fred quit school and went to work on gas pipe lines and drilling rigs. In June of 1944, Fred and twin brother Frank, joined the Navy and were together at Farragot, Idaho for boot camp then to Seattle, Washington for Navy schooling and then to Fort Wanemee, California for more schooling and then back to Salem, Oregon to board ship to the South Pacific. Aboard ship from the Philippines and Guadalcanal to Okinawa they were hauling wounded back to Saipane and Quam. When the war ended they made two trips with Marine and Army personnel to Japan for the occupation of Japan. They made seven trips from the Philippines and Guadalcanal to California bringing home service men after the war. Then they went across the equator and up through the Panama Canal to Norfolk, Virginia. They put the ship in mothball (storage). A few years later the ship was cut up for scrap iron.


Fred returned to Washington and received his honorable discharge in June 1946 along with brother Frank. Fred went into the farming and ranching business with his Dad and Uncle Seaman. In the winters he worked on drilling rigs in Canada, North and South Dakota, Nebraska, Montana and Wyoming.


In 1953, Fred met and married Sybil Stanford on December 24, 1953 in Lovell, Wyoming. Fred and Sybil lived in Lovell, Wyoming for 18 years and then moved to Cheyenne Wells, Colorado in February of 1971 to work for Phillips Petroleum. Fred took early retirement in 1985 and started his own pumping contract business until 1994. Retiring in 1994, to help wife Sybil with health problems until her death on March 5, 1995 of complicatons with diabetes.


In June of 1995, Fred found the job of his dreams in the "Country Charm" helping LaVanda Mitchek as a host. He enjoyed it more than all his other jobs.


In August of 1996 he met Joanna Davidson from Imperial, Nebraska and they were married November 16, 1996 and have made their home in Cheyenne Wells, Colorado for the past 12 years.


Fred preached for the Church of Christ in Lovell, Wyoming for 10 years and the Church of Christ in Cheyenne Wells, Colorado for approximately 20 years.


Fred hopes to be remembered for his sense of humor, love of working in his yard and garden, and going to auctions and buying antiques.


Fred is preceded in death by his Father, Ralph Wilkerson and Mother Gladyce May Wilkerson and sisters LaRose Wilkerson and Gladyce May Wilkerson and MaryJane Wilkerson and wife Sybil Stanford Wilkerson.


Survivors include wife Joanna of Cheyenne Wells, Colorado. Brother, Gene Wilkerson and wife Ethel of Lovell, Wyoming. Sister, Helen Carlson of Billings, Montana. Twin brother, Frank Wilkerson and wife Billie of Lovell, Wyoming. Sister, Lucy Parkinson of Ogden, Utah. Brother,

Ralph Wilkerson and wife Shirley of Cody, Wyoming. Step-daughter Joyce Terryberry and

husband Steve of Imperial, Nebraska. Step-Grandchildren, Josh Jaeger and wife Kerri and

family and Jerome Jaeger and daughter all of Venango, Nebraska . Stephanie Rau and husband Tom and boys, Matt Terryberry and wife Carrie and family, Daniel Terryberry and wife Vanessa and twin boys all of Imperial, Nebraska. Special friends, La Vanda Mitchek and girls, Laine, Aston and Autumm of Cheyenne Wells. And Mark Manuele and Markie and Lisa and family of Cameron, Missouri. Also 25 nieces and nephews from various states. And a host of family and friends.


Graveside services were held on Friday, February 6, 2009 at the Fairview Cemetery in Cheyenne Wells, CO with Freds twin brother Frank officiating. The William Kimmell Post #9700 conducted the full military honors. Friends and family can register online condolences and sign the guest book at www.brownfuneraldirectors.com. Brown Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.