Dr. William Jerry Wilkins

Dr. William Jerry Wilkins, retired Director of Technological, Business, and Adult Education for the Knox County, Tennessee, School System died on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at Green Crest Assisted Living in Parsons, TN.

He was a member of Hopewell Baptist Church.

Dr. Wilkins was born in Decatur County on December 30, 1936, to the late William Howell and Roberta Rebecca (Rhodes) Wilkins.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Melba L. (Price) Wilkins from Tyler, Texas.

He is survived by his son, William Benton Wilkins of Omaha, Nebraska. Mrs. Linda Lewis his love and strength as well as her children, Karen (Glenn) McClure, Amy Pratt (Randy Redden), and Mark (Shanda) Lewis. He is also survived by Mrs. Linda’s 5 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild.

Jerry graduated from Parsons High School and served in the U.S. Navy for four years.  After training and military school in the Navy, he spent two years on sea duty in the Pacific Ocean visiting Hawaii, Japan, Philippines Islands, Korea, Hong Kong, and Australia several times. He spent his last eighteen months in the Navy on shore duty in Charleston, South Carolina.

After separation from the Navy, Jerry earned three degrees from The University Of Tennessee, Knoxville. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Master of Science, and Doctor of Education.

After teaching for three years, Dr. Wilkins spent the remainder of his career in Educational Administration. After work as Director of Technological, Business, and Adult Education in the Knox County School System Dr. Wilkins did consulting work with various manufacturing firms surveying and studying the attitudes of their employees toward management. He also taught night classes at The University of Tennessee Knoxville.

Visitation for Dr. Wilkins will be held on Thursday January 22, 2026, from 10:00AM until the funeral service at Parsons Mortuary. Funeral services will be held on Thursday January 22, 2026, at 2:30PM in the Parsons Mortuary Chapel with Burial to follow in the Hopewell Cemetery.

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