William “Bill” Wilkins, 78, of Bowling Green, Ohio passed away on April 27, 2023. He was born on September 24, 1944 to the late Lowell and Jean (Flowers) Wilkins. He was married to Jere-An Wilkins until her passing in August of 2020.
Bill is survived by his daughters: Marisa Wilkins and Beth (Bill) Combs; sister Suzi Davis; step-children: Kevin (Sonja) Coe and Kelly (Shawn) Kilgore; step-grandchildren; step-great-grandchildren; his dogs: Zander and Mia and his grandpugs: Penny and Lucas.
Bill, a Boy Scout and talented basketball player, graduated from Westwood High School in 1962 and went on to serve his country in the US Army as a Military Police officer stationed in Panama. Upon his return home, he worked for GTE as a cable splicer. Having a passion for photography, home video and new technology he and his first wife, Susan (Hancock) Wilkins, opened one of the first video rental stores in Northwest Ohio. The Video Spectrum, which they operated from 1981 to 2011, was known for its unrivaled collection of films. In the mid 2000’s, they also opened a movie-themed smoothie shop appropriately named “Smoovies”.
Bill was a man of many talents and could literally fix or build anything. He built model airplanes until he realized his dream and became a licensed pilot. Bill’s first adventure as a private pilot was starting an aerial banner towing business. He also partnered with a local sky diving company. He amazed everyone when he built the Acro II Sport, a full size biplane in his basement.
Bill was also a HAM Radio enthusiast (Radio call sign WD8JWJ) and was involved with installing the first radio repeater on top of the Wood County Court House. He was also active in the Northwest Ohio Live Steamers club with his hand-built Wabash Steam Engine. He was a firearms enthusiast and was a member of a “Cowboy Action Shooting” club that would put on target shooting competitions dressed as cowboys. He built every house he lived in and to top it all off, he also had an interest in learning music which led to him building a hammer dulcimer and a mountain lap dulcimer.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be gifted to the Wood County Humane Society.
A memorial gathering will be held on Tuesday, May 2, 2023 from 3:00 pm until the time of his Celebration of Life Service at 6:00 pm at Deck-Hanneman Funeral Home & Crematory 1460 W. Wooster Street, Bowling Green. A private burial will be held at Wingston Cemetery.
Online condolences, as well as fond memories may be shared with Bill’s family by visiting www.hannemanfuneralhomes.com.
