Elmore "Tim" Chaney Wilkins

Elmore “Tim” Chaney Wilkins, 91, of Raleigh, passed away peacefully on December 30, 2013 surrounded by his family. He was preceded in death by his mother, Iva Wilkins Cascadden, and his sister, Vernicia Severance.

Tim was born in Portland, Maine on August 1, 1922. He spent his early childhood years in Lewiston, Maine. He joined the Army August 1, 1940. After serving in the infantry at Fort Devens, MA and the 518th Military Police on Governors Island he was selected to form President Roosevelt’s personal guard cadre at Hyde Park, New York where he met his wife. It was in Hyde Park where he was nicknamed “Tiny Tim” by his Platoon. While he was 5’ 10” he was one of the shortest guards in the regiment.

He later served in the 45th Infantry Division and the 100th and was a veteran of WWII. He participated in several campaigns including the liberation of Rome, Southern France, Rhineland and Central Europe. He was recognized by the US National Memorial Holocaust Museum for his participation in the liberation of Dachau by the US Army on April 29th 1945. He received five Battle Stars, Bronze Invasion Arrowhead, Pre-Pearl Harbor Ribbon, France Freedom Medal, American Defense Service Medal, and the European African Middle East Theater Campaign and the Good Conduct Medal.

After the service, Elmore worked for IBM for 25 years in Poughkeepsie, NY before his retirement. In 2002, he moved with his wife to Raleigh, NC to be closer to their children. In his spare time, he liked to vacation at his lake house in Copake, NY, where he enjoyed fishing, boating and water skiing. He also enjoyed snow skiing, hunting and playing golf. What he loved most was teaching his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren to enjoy these activities with him.

He is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Mary Rosalie Wilkins; children, Barry Wilkins and wife Linda of Louisburg, Deborah Corcoran and husband John also of Louisburg; one brother, Blynn Cascadden and wife Joan of Culpepper, VA; 10 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren with the 12th due any day.

Visitation will be held on January 3, 2014 from 5 to 7pm at Mitchell Funeral Home, 7209 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC. A funeral mass will be held at St. Francis of Assisi, 11401 Leesville Rd., Raleigh, NC. at 3:00PM on January 4, 2014. Interment will follow at Raleigh Memorial Park.

Online condolences may be made at www.mitchellatrmp.com