1942
William
2021
William Clarence Wilkey
October 6, 1942 — March 1, 2021
William Wilkey Obituary
William Clarence Wilkey, 78, of Columbia, loving husband for 52 years to Beverly (Landerman) Wilkey, passed away unexpectedly, Monday, March 1, 2021, at Windham Hospital, Willimantic. "Wilkey" was born to the late Margaret (Braman) Marceau and raised in Springfield, Mass. At age 17, walking home from school, he entered an Army Recruitment Center and enlisted. He proudly served his country for 6 years, mainly as a specialist in the EOD division. (In his last days, he was still seen with an EOD cap perched on his head, which always sparked conversation!)
As a teenager, he worked at the Springfield Armory Museum where he became interested in American swords. He invested his earnings, acquiring a handsome collection. Years later, he admitted to Beverly that he sold them so he could afford to take her to "fine places". She responded that he was "foolish", especially when he pointed out similar swords in museums!
Wilkey was employed for several years as an investigator for Pinkerton, where he met Beverly and married her 6 months later. For 9+ years, he served the town of West Hartford as a Police Officer, after which he was self-employed at Detek Investigations. In 1992, Wilkey and family relocated to Cripple Creek, Co. where he worked in 6 different mountain casinos in 7 years; he never quite appreciated working in the gaming industry! They moved back to Connecticut in 1999.
For several years, Wilkey and Beverly dealt in antiquities, antiques, and collectibles, including Jade Artifacts. Wilkey was a self-professed "Jadeologist", eager to share his knowledge "with anyone who would listen". He constantly sought to further his knowledge of History, especially WWII, Roman coinage, Archaeology, and Chinese Jade.
Underneath a sometimes "gruff" or seemingly "nonchalant" exterior, was a deep thinking, caring man, fiercely loyal and proud of his country and family, and possessing a "witty" sense of humor.
Wilkey leaves his beloved wife and best friend Beverly, sons Matthew and Adam (wife Elissa) Wilkey, brothers Carlton (wife Lynn) LaJoie, formerly of So. Windham, Steven (partner Sue) Marceau, Alvin Poirier, Leon Poirier Jr., sisters Carol Haglund, Gail Poirier, the late Patricia Doyle, cherished grandchildren Gavin (wife Frayah) Wilkey, Addison and Landon Wilkey, respected in-laws,and many nieces, nephews, and friends. A graveside service will be held at 2:00pm on Monday, April 5, 2021 at the West St. Cemetery, Columbia, . For an online online memorial guestbook visit www.potterfuneralhome.com .
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of William Clarence Wilkey, please visit our floral store.
Read More
William Clarence Wilkey, 78, of Columbia, loving husband for 52 years to Beverly (Landerman) Wilkey, passed away unexpectedly, Monday, March 1, 2021, at Windham Hospital, Willimantic. "Wilkey" was born to the late Margaret (Braman) Marceau and raised in Springfield, Mass. At age 17, walking home from school, he entered an Army Recruitment Center and enlisted. He proudly served his country for 6 years, mainly as a specialist in the EOD division. (In his last days, he was still seen with an EOD cap perched on his head, which always sparked conversation!)
As a teenager, he worked at the Springfield Armory Museum where he became interested in American swords. He invested his earnings, acquiring a handsome collection. Years later, he admitted to Beverly that he sold them so he could afford to take her to "fine places". She responded that he was "foolish", especially when he pointed out similar swords in museums!
Wilkey was employed for several years as an investigator for Pinkerton, where he met Beverly and married her 6 months later. For 9+ years, he served the town of West Hartford as a Police Officer, after which he was self-employed at Detek Investigations. In 1992, Wilkey and family relocated to Cripple Creek, Co. where he worked in 6 different mountain casinos in 7 years; he never quite appreciated working in the gaming industry! They moved back to Connecticut in 1999.
For several years, Wilkey and Beverly dealt in antiquities, antiques, and collectibles, including Jade Artifacts. Wilkey was a self-professed "Jadeologist", eager to share his knowledge "with anyone who would listen". He constantly sought to further his knowledge of History, especially WWII, Roman coinage, Archaeology, and Chinese Jade.
Underneath a sometimes "gruff" or seemingly "nonchalant" exterior, was a deep thinking, caring man, fiercely loyal and proud of his country and family, and possessing a "witty" sense of humor.
Wilkey leaves his beloved wife and best friend Beverly, sons Matthew and Adam (wife Elissa) Wilkey, brothers Carlton (wife Lynn) LaJoie, formerly of So. Windham, Steven (partner Sue) Marceau, Alvin Poirier, Leon Poirier Jr., sisters Carol Haglund, Gail Poirier, the late Patricia Doyle, cherished grandchildren Gavin (wife Frayah) Wilkey, Addison and Landon Wilkey, respected in-laws,and many nieces, nephews, and friends. A graveside service will be held at 2:00pm on Monday, April 5, 2021 at the West St. Cemetery, Columbia, . For an online online memorial guestbook visit www.potterfuneralhome.com .
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of William Clarence Wilkey, please visit our floral store.
Read More
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of William Clarence Wilkey, please visit our flower store.
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