Larry Dee Wilkinson, 70, of Urbana, died Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021, at his home.
He was born April 24, 1951, in Wakeeney, Kan., the son of Rosalee Nelson.
Larry was preceded in death by his mother; brother, Harry; and sister, Vivian.
When he became a truck driver it gave him the opportunity to travel the country. A lifelong love of racing led him to race stock cars in Springfield in the 1970s and drag race in North Carolina in the 1990s. After originally getting “married’’ at recess in elementary school he reunited with his wife Bonnie, 40 years later to be married officially. He was a good mechanic who loved to work on cars, trucks, tractors and other farm equipment.
He is survived by his wife Bonnie; his children, Samantha Allred and husband Drew, Stephen Allred, Renata Cornelius, Charlie Wilkinson, Stephanie Sanders and husband Jay, Joe Hunt, Kristina Cain and husband Brian, Kendra Hunt and husband Steve, Josh Hunt and wife Casey, Sarah Hunt, Emily Devarie and husband Edgar, Alona Jackson and husband Vince; 28 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren; siblings, Ray Wilkinson and wife Sue, Linda Goodman and husband Larry, Rosemary James and husband Dennis, Becky Mason and husband Shawn, William Long, Bonnie Mattson, Joseph Long, Jamie Long and wife Mary, Clyde Long, Christina Long; several nieces and nephews; and many close friends and neighbors.
Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021, in the Cantlon-Otterness & Viets Funeral Home in Buffalo. Visitation will be 6-7:30 p.m. Monday in the funeral home.
