Guy Wilkerson, a Korean War veteran recognized as an outstanding citizen by Bentonville last year, died Wednesday. He was 85.
As a member of the Bentonville Kiwanis Club, Wilkerson helped organize the club’s Christmas time food drive for nearly 60 years. The club provided about 24 food baskets to needy families during the first year of the food drive; since then the project has expanded to benefit several hundred families annually.
Wilkerson also was Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 52 for 32 years and was active in Scouting for more than 50 years, according to his obituary.
Wilkerson served in the Korean War with Battery A of the 936th Field Artillery of the Arkansas Army National Guard.
He married his wife, Leola Wilkerson, on Jan. 3, 1950. His unit shipped out to Korea 10 days later.
At A Glance
Visitation
Visitation for Guy Wilkerson will be held 12:30 to 2 p.m. Saturday at Bentonville First United Methodist Church, with a service at 2 p.m. Burial will be at Benton County Memorial Park after the service.
Source: Staff Report
In the Korean War, his battery was part of the Inchon invasion, and he spent nine months on the front lines. Asked about his experience for a 2003 story in The Benton County Daily Record, Wilkerson said it was something he tried not to think about.
“Everything was torn up and blown up,” Wilkerson said. “It was a pitiful sight. You didn’t know if you’d be around or not. You see a lot of things you just don’t want to think about.”
Upon returning home, he remained with the National Guard, serving as first sergeant for many years before being promoted to command sergeant major. He retired in 1990.
Eddie Austin, a former Bentonville alderman, met Wilkerson in 1964 when Wilkerson signed him up for the Arkansas Army National Guard. Austin worked with Wilkerson both in the Guard and the Kiwanis Club.
“The thing I remember about Guy is how many people that he helped out through the years,” Austin said. “He was always happy, he was always a hard-charger. If he showed up, he took charge, wherever he was at. He thought and acted like a first sergeant on everything he did.”
Austin nominated Wilkerson for Bentonville’s Outstanding Citizen of the Quarter award during the first quarter of 2012.
Bob McCaslin, Bentonville mayor, said he was pleased to be able to recognize Wilkerson for his work.
“I’m always impressed when someone is so dedicated to giving back instead of taking,” McCaslin said. “It’s just so refreshing in this society. Guy was in a helping mode.”
George Hill, 74, of Bentonville joined the Army National Guard in 1956. That’s how he got to know Wilkerson.
“He was a swell man,” Hill said. “He was well-known around town. Guy was well liked around here.”
Wilkerson is survived by his wife, two sons, two sisters and four grandchildren.