Buddy, a man of deep-rooted loyalty and enduring service, was born on January 3, 1932, to Lee Goldsmith Wilkie and Claire Baldwin Wilkie, in Atlanta. He was an only child who earned his lifelong nickname from his mother. He graduated from North Fulton High School in 1950 and moved on to the University of Georgia, where he earned his Bachelor’s in Business Administration in 1954.
A Damn Good Dawg, Buddy was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity and later became a member of its prestigious Golden Legion, marking over 50 years of brotherhood. His postgraduate years were defined by military service to his country; he was trained at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama, and served as a Second Lieutenant in the District of Columbia Air National Guard. He eventually achieved the rank of Captain in the United States Air Force Reserves before his honorable discharge in 1967.
In his professional life, Buddy was known for his work ethic and pleasing personality, qualities he learned from his father. He was an original member of the Buckhead Boys, a social club in North Atlanta. He served as the manager of the Macke Company of Georgia and concluded his career as the Human Resources/Safety Director of the North American Container Corporation.
A pillar of his community, Buddy was a man who stood up for what he believed in. He served as the last PTA president at W.F. Dykes High School and fought a bitter, hard-earned battle to keep the school from closing. Long after the school doors shut, he is remembered by letters of gratitude from parents and the departing principal as a testament to his tireless efforts. Equally central to his life was his faith. He was heavily involved for many years at St. John’s United Methodist Church in Atlanta; he loved volunteering for its annual Christmas tree sale the most.
In 1954, Buddy married his beloved Jackie. Together they lived in Montgomery, Atlanta, and Charlotte before returning home to Atlanta in 1970. He was entirely devoted to his wife for 70 years of marriage until her passing in 2025. While Jackie was the heart of the home, Buddy was the steadfast provider and the family’s greatest tradition-keeper.
He was Santa every Christmas Eve, handing out L.L. Bean presents to his kids and grandkids around the living room tree, and was family-famous for his spiked eggnog.
He was preceded in death by his wife, a daughter, Baby Sister, and one great grandson, Russell Altamura
He is survived by his four children: Lee G. Wilkie, III (Trixie), Lynn Wilkie Ferrell, Kay Wilkie Darby, and William Grigsby Wilkie (Lisa).
He also leaves a rich legacy through his grandchildren: Ryan Wilkie (Erica), Zach Wilkie (Danielle), Kacie Darby Cox (Logan), Bess Darby Altamura (Mikey), Sam Darby, Bailey Wilkie Thomas (Kyle), Ella Wilkie, and Grigsby Wilkie; and his great-grandchildren: Lucie Swain, Holden Swain, Brooks Wilkie, Collins Wilkie, Margo Wilkie, Peter Altamura, Harper Cox, Claire Wilkie, Lennon Wilkie, Miller Thomas, John Wilkie, and Austin Altamura.
A committal service will be held on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Westview Cemetery, 1680 Westview Dr SW, Atlanta, GA.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to a favorite charity or ministry in Buddy's name.
