Elijah A. Wilkerson

Elijah was a very accomplished and distinguished man, known for his poise and presence. He had a long and fruitful career and took pride in his life’s work. He was a natural storyteller, and we often wondered if he had a photographic memory, given the detail and precision of the facts he shared when narrating his beloved life stories. Not only could he tell you in great detail what happened in a particular story, but also who was there, their last name, who they were married to, and the date when it all happened. In his calm, soothing tone, he could captivate an audience with ease. I know he would be pleased that we share just a tidbit of how his life began and some of his many accomplishments.

He began his career with the United States government in 1946, at the age of 18, when he registered for the final draft of WWII. After completing basic training for the Army, he was deployed to Japan, where he worked as a driver at the Motor Pool, first in Yamagata and then in Jin Machi, Japan. He also had the distinction of becoming airborne qualified in the early days of Army paratroopers.

After returning from his stint in Japan and resigning from his position with the Army, he began as a GS3 (General Service Position Civil Servant) at the Naval Weapons Station in 1950. He then climbed the ranks within Military Housing Management, working multiple positions and relocating numerous times when there was an opportunity for advancement. He went on to become a GS9 Housing Manager for the Naval Weapons Station Housing Program. His career continued to advance as he accepted a position as a GS11 at the Langley Air Force Base in Virginia and then moved to a GS12/GS13 at the Public Works Center in Norfolk, VA. This is where Elijah met his wife, Nancy.

Elijah moved to Germany with his family in 1978 for a GS12/14 position in the Army Housing Division and then back to the States 7 years later for a GS15 position in Washington DC. He loved Germany and first worked in Heidelberg and then later in the town of Kaiserslautern. They lived in a lovely house in Melbach, Germany.

After returning to the States and moving closer to the DC metropolitan area, he was a high-level manager for Army Housing until retiring in 1993. Elijah continued to do contract work and assisted in the establishment of PHMA (Public Housing Management Association) and MHLI (Military Housing Lodging Institute) with his dear friend, Jon Moore.

Nancy and Elijah bought their home on Whetstone Drive in Montgomery Village, Maryland, in 1987. They lived there for 40 years. This home was the hub for many family events, and their children and grandchildren have many fond memories of holidays here.

When Elijah wasn’t working, he and Nancy enjoyed traveling and hosting dinner parties. They loved spending time with friends and family and were often at the center of reunions and get-togethers. They often spent time at their condominium located in Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina, relaxing on the beach. One of Elijah’s favorite sayings was simply “Just relaxin.” which he would say whenever you called him and asked him what he was doing.

A loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, dear friend, and storyteller, he was so many things to us all. We will miss him deeply and keep those stories he passed down deep in our hearts, and share them with the next generations.

Elijah leaves behind his wife, Nancy Wilkerson, his children: William Wilkerson, Beth Wilkerson, Kim Richmond, Bill Wilkerson, and Jeff Wilkerson, his two brothers, Tommy Wilkerson and Donald Hickman, and his beloved grandchildren: David Guthrie, Jon Guthrie, Mary Guthrie, Vance Richmond, Eleni Richmond, and Taylor Richmond, and his many great- grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Elisha Wilkerson and Lucy Marion-Bristow-Hickman, and his siblings, Martha Oliphant, Naomi Hogge, John Robert Wilkerson, William Frank Wilkerson, Edna Allison, and William Henry Wilkerson.