Mr. Max Wesley Wilkerson Sr., age 79, a resident of 307 Tranters Creek Road, Washington, died Monday evening, July 11, 2011, at Pitt County Memorial Hospital.

A funeral service will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 14, 2011, at First Church of Christ of Washington officiated by Steve Hill, Ray West, Mark Lilley and Tim Humphries. Burial will follow at Oakdale Cemetery. Gary Chrismon, Ty Carter, Neal Dixon, Phillip Mobley, Russell Smith and Keith Wallace will serve as pallbearers. Mr. and Mrs. Onnie Boyd, Mr. and Mrs. Cedric Woolard, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Smith Sr., Mr. and Mrs. Joe Toler, Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Holland, Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell Harris, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Stephenson, Mr. and Mrs. Jack Clayton, Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Cartwright and Mr. and Mrs. Norwood Houston will serve as honorary pallbearers.

Mr. Wilkerson was born in Pamlico County on April 22, 1932, son of the late William Clinton Wilkerson and Annie Wilkerson Piver. On March 12, 1954, he married the former Lucille McRoy who survives. Mr. Wilkerson was employed for 29 years with DuPont and was owner and manager of the Montgomery Ward’s store. He served his country in the U.S. Army and the Naval Reserve. Mr. Wilkerson was a longtime member of the First Church of Christ in Washington. He served in his church in various capacities including elder, deacon, Sunday School teacher, superintendent and worked with the youth. He sang in the church choir and in the “Gospel Light” quartet. Mr. Wilkerson loved his family, his church and enjoyed fishing and boating while his health permitted.

In addition to his wife, Lucille, of the home, he is survived by his son: Max Wesley Wilkerson Jr. and wife, Beverly Moore Wilkerson of Washington; his daughters: Windy Wilkerson Younce and husband, Hal of Chocowinity and Victoria Wilkerson Waters and husband, Adam of Washington; six grandchildren: Derek Wilkerson, Holly Younce Tetterton and husband Tim, Scott Wilkerson, Kayce Wilkerson, Whitney Younce and Evan Waters; one great-granddaughter: Ashlin Tetterton and nieces and nephews: Karen Ball, Susan Tyson, Gregory Ball and Neal Dixon. In additional to his parents, he is preceded in death by his sister, Marjorie Elizabeth Ball and his nephew, Ashley Dixon.

The family expresses their appreciation to three special friends from the LifeStyles Physical Therapy Department.

The family will receive friends from 4:30 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. on Thursday prior to the service at the Family Life Center at the First Church of Christ in Washington.

Memorials may be made to the First Church of Christ, 520 E. 10th St., Washington, NC 27889 or American Diabetes Association, 2418 Blue Ridge Road, Suite 206, Raleigh, NC 27607.

You may address your condolences to the family by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com.

Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington is honored to serve the Wilkerson family.