R.W. Wilkinson, III

Robert Watson Wilkinson III, of Wake Forest, joined his wife Betty Ann, his son Clinton Fontan Wilkinson, and his parents, R.W. Wilkinson Jr. and Estelle Fontan Wilkinson, in heaven on December 20, 2021. Watson was a proud Wake Forest native and a third generation resident. His grandfather was a town merchant and his father a town medical doctor.

He is a 1948 graduate of Wake Forest College where he belonged to Sigma Pi Fraternity and loved his Demon Deacons. Betty Ann was his blind date to a fraternity formal, they married in 1950, and raised three sons in Wake Forest. Always quick witted and entertaining, he loved people and delighted in being a prankster.

During his career, Watson served as the Wake Forest Postmaster, CEO of Wake Forest Federal Savings and Loan, and after retirement served on their Board of Directors. He was active with the Wake Forest College Birthplace Society and was a lifelong member of St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church.

Watson is survived by his sons, Robert (Bob) W. Wilkinson IV (wife, Laurie) and William (Billy) Hall Wilkinson (wife, Gretchen), his grandchildren Mary Wilkinson Casper (husband, Billy), William Hall Wilkinson Jr., Emily Wilkinson Markwood (husband, David), Mason Wilkinson, and Mitchell Wilkinson. His great-grandchildren are Wilks Casper, June Casper, Watson Markwood, and Mabel Markwood.

We will celebrate Watson’s life at a graveside service at Wake Forest Cemetery, 400 N White St., Wake Forest NC on Monday, January 3, 2022 at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Transitions LifeCare, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh NC 27607, Of Living Stones Building Fund, St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, 520 West Holding Ave, Wake Forest NC 27587, or a charity of your choice.

A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Wake Forest, NC.