William Brian Wilkerson

"I became a musician for music can touch the soul and universally heal humankind. As long as my music is heard by people I've never met, that is happiness for me.”

-Billy Wilkerson told to his mother, Cathrine O. Moore.

He was a writer and actor known for his work with Brothers Bright in works such as Awake O'Sleeper (2008), Alabaster (2007), and That's Magic! (2008). He toured extensively with Levi Lowrey and the Community House Band co-writing, singing background vocals, playing percussion, and opening for acts like The Zac Brown Band, Alabama, Sonia Leigh, Dirty Guv’nahs, and more.

William Brian Wilkerson was born in Linton, IN, on April 25, 1982, to Brian Wilkerson and Cathrine O. Moore.

With his dimples and angelic good nature, Billy loved with an open heart, and a stranger was always soon a friend. In 1998, with his childhood best friends, he co-founded the bands Fellowman and then 2002 Crashing at Dawn.

On August 13, 2005, he married his high school sweetheart and greatest supporter, Jill DeVault. Always known as Crazy Uncle Billy to his nieces and nephews, he became a father to his ultimate fans, Evie Sophia in 2007 and Dawson in 2010. Billy crafted a lifestyle that elevated family above personal ambition. When he was not creating or touring, he loved being a stay-at-home Dad to his children. Billy was imaginative with the grill and generally a homebody. He could turn any mundane task into a magical memory. He fathered in a way that made his children feel loved, seen, heard, and cared for. He was known for hosting epic events in their warehouse behind their house, The Abai, named after the men's meeting place in his mother's native land, Palau. If Billy invited you to The Abai, you knew you were his chosen family.

In 2005, he also formed Brothers Bright with lead guitarist and best friend Nick Kirk, who had been partners for over 17 years. They wrote songs in dozens of short films, commercials, TV shows, and feature films. They have been featured on HBO, NBC, ABC, A&E, and more. Their songs have over 250k monthly streams, 6+ million a year, and tens of millions to date.

After being hit by a drunk driver, July 31st, 2011 marked the beginning of his Life with a Traumatic Brain Injury. Billy was an enigma, and he lived life on his terms. After the accident and discharge from The Shepherd Center, he returned to his music-recording and performing for Whitestone Motion Pictures and 12Stone. He and Jill advocated for Adults with TBI through events held by the Shepherd Center. Additionally, he became a certified trainer at CrossFit. Ever the visionary entrepreneur, he started several at-home businesses. He lived by his ideals. He lived by his dreams. He lived by his heart.

In March 2024, Billy emailed me (Toni), and I share with you now some of his last words because he did not intend to leave this early this way. He had great hopes of winning and overcoming.

“ Alii, Life is a miraculous ebb and flow of cycles to learn from and break. I have slept under bridges, shelters, and hotels but have learned my steps were not in vain. I have always been "me," or the energy of me adapting but thriving by helping others around me. I write to tell you I love you, my sister, and our family. I hold no bitterness to anyone; it is my chosen journey. If what I do is easy, everyone will find solitude in themselves.”

Mystically prophetic, Billy foreshadowed his end days with his timeless lyrics. This particular song, I Won’t Let Go, framed the last leg of his journey on this earth well.

https://open.spotify.com/track/6MH0sUKtmCADNDeg8lUUfO?si=48440f6bc4134b92

https://music.apple.com/us/album/i-wont-let-go/1228256365?i=1228256742

The gifted singer-songwriter died on April 26, 2024, of health complications at the age of 42. Immediate family surrounded Billy at Inova Fairfax Medical Campus in Virginia.

Billy is survived by the mother of his children, Jill Wilkerson, his daughter, Evie Sophia, age 16, and his son, Dawson Wilkerson, age 13. He's on the other side now with his sister, Cheyenne Wilkerson, and they're waiting for the rest of us: his only love, Jill Wilkerson; his children, Evie and Dawson; his mother, Cathrine Moore (Gary Moore), and his parents Brian and Christina Wilkerson, his siblings; Toni Tarbutton (Joshua Tarbutton), Stephanie Lowrey (Levi Lowrey) Zachary Wilkerson ( Kara Wilkerson), Sierra Wilkerson, and Kaia Wilkerson.

No longer bound bodily by time and space, Billy is now truly free. Billy’s music is on Apple and Spotify under Billy Wilkerson and Brothers Bright.

Instead of flowers, donate to the fund set up for his children. http://spot.fund/lk6clsc