Bert Wilkinson

MORGAN - Our loving husband, father, grandfather, great- grandfather and friend, Bert Wilkinson, 83, passed away January 10, 2013 in Morgan, Utah from complications of dementia. He was born on February 28, 1929 in Peterson, Utah to John and Alice Myrtle Wood Wilkinson.

Bert grew up in Morgan and graduated from Morgan High School. After graduation, he moved to Price and worked for his brother-in-law selling parts for International trucks.

In 1947, he, along with his two brothers, Cole and John, started Wilkinson Construction Company. They started their business with just three D7 Army surplus bulldozers, leveling land. In 1959, Cole was killed in a construction accident; John and Bert continued to work hard and make the company successful. In 1964 they started selling snowmobiles, and opened a formal Polaris dealership in 1980. Their businesses continue to be run by their sons and grandsons.

He married his high school sweetheart, Betty Jean Stuart on May 20, 1949; they were blessed with five children. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Ogden LDS temple.

Bert was an active member of the community. In 1996, he became heavily involved in the building of the rec plex in Morgan, which was later named the Wilkinson Complex. He was instrumental in its development and spent five summers working there to help create a recreation area for youth in the community.

He was a devoted member of the LDS church and served in many callings including Stake Executive secretary for seven years. He had a strong testimony of the gospel and was a great example to everyone he came in contact with.

He devoted his life to his family, and had the opportunity to share many memories with each one of them. He loved to fly, and at the age of 56, earned his pilot's license. Many of his days were spent four wheeling at the sand dunes, snowmobiling, boating and working in his wood shop. He also loved spending time at the cabin he and his brother John built. He loved to work hard and play hard, and always expected the same of his kids.

Bert is survived by his loving wife of 62 years; five children: Sherry (Dee) Waldron, Denise (Dave) Rich, Stuart (Judy) Wilkinson, Dan (Carol) Wilkinson, and Sue (Dean) Ghizzone, brother John H.; sisters Shirley Taylor and Marge Hammer. He is also survived by 16 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, and one on the way.

He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings Harry, Cole, Avin Mills, Alice Sessions, Cathleen Cline, and one grandson, Anthony Paul Ghizzone.

The family would like to extend their sincere thanks to the staff at the Family Tree Assisted Living in Morgan, and to Encompass Hospice, for the loving care they gave to Dad. We want to especially thank our mother, for the special care that she gave to Dad during his illness.

Funeral services will be held Monday, January 14, 2013 at 11 a.m. at the Morgan Stake Chapel, 355 North 700 East, Morgan. A viewing will be held Sunday from 6 to 8 pm and Monday from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. both the Morgan Stake Chapel. Interment will be at the South Morgan Cemetery.