Deputy G.W. Wilkins

GW was born in Greely, Colorado on February 18, 1945 to Luther and Isabelle

Wilkins, both of whom preceded him in death. He leaves behind his loving wife of 26 years, Mary Cloninger Wilkins; sister Nancy Adams of Yelm, WA, daughter Michelle Bradley and husband Bob, Midland, TX; sons Michael and wife Tawnya, Bonne Terre, MO; Jason and Jeff Wilkins, El Cajon, CA; stepsons Chuck Cloninger and wife Tonia, Pasadena, TX; Steve Cloninger and wife Julie, Deer Park, TX; and many grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

GW retired from his employment as a deputy in the Harris County Sheriffs Dept. on January 1, 2007, after 16 years of service. He last served as court bailiff in District Court 180, where he developed many friendships. He truly enjoyed this job and the people with whom he worked.

Prior to Harris County, he was employed for over 18 years as a heavy equipment operator and worked at many constructions sites from California to Texas. His training on the construction equipment began when he served in the U.S. Air Force. He completed various levels of schooling there prior to becoming a fully trained and experienced operator. His tour of duty in the Air Force was during the Vietnam conflict, which took him to duty in Korea and the Phillipines.

In the service he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon.

Outside of work, GW attended school to study for a degree as a substance abuse counselor/interpreter for the deaf. He was able to use his skills in sign language to assist many deaf inmates in the prison community. He was also a Certified Texas Hunter Educations Instructor for the Deaf.

An avid motorcycle enthusiast, he and Mary traveled many roads throughout the USA on their Honda Gold Wing. Sadly, his plans to spend his retirement years continuing to ride, ride, ride, were shortened by the invasion of a deadly form of cancer. He is safe, and pain free now, in the arms of the Lord.