Riley Grant Wilkerson, of Beaumont and Freeport, was born March 25, 1940 in Houston, Texas and left this earth on August 20, 2016. A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, August 27, 2016 at 1:00 pm in the Claybar Kelley-Watkins Chapel. Interment will be at 4:00 p.m. in the Union Springs Cemetery in Corrigan, Texas. Visitation will begin at 11:00 a.m. Saturday prior to the service.
Riley graduated from Kosse High School, attended Baylor University, Sam Houston State University and graduated from the Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science as a licensed mortician. He worked as a mortician for several years before going to work for Brown & Williamson Tobacco Company from which he later retired.
Riley had a band for 30 years and loved to play his guitar and entertain an audience. His other hobbies included fishing, dancing, listening to live music and just living life to its fullest.
He was a Master Mason and member of the Velasco Masonic Lodge #757. He recently received his 50 year Masonic pin and was a lifetime member of the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo and the NRA.
Riley is survived by his wife, Jacky of Beaumont and Freeport; son, Mark Wilkerson and wife, Jill of Kingwood; daughters, Joni Worthington and husband, Rodney of Deer Park, Bridgette Different of Lumberton, Cynthia Parish of Beaumont, 12 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren; sisters, Jean Wilkerson Spell and husband, David of Beaumont; Margaret Ames and husband, Don of Austin; and brother, R. W. Wilkerson Jr. and wife, Debbie of Hughes Springs; and other special family members, Cyn Sequeria and husband Terry, Pecos Vaught and wife Linda, Val Franz and husband, Bubba; and their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Riley was preceded in death by his mother, Lois Lee Higginbotham McCauley and daddy, JC McCauley.
He will be dearly missed by his family and friends. This world has lost an amazing man.