William Wilkening

Major William H. Wilkening passed away quietly Tuesday, March 16, 2004, in Medford, Ore.

Born March 13, 1929, in Shelbyville, Mo., Bill was raised with four brothers and moved to Jackson to enjoy success as an honors student and football star through his high school years.

He was elected homecoming king his senior year and shared the stage with homecoming queen Dorothy Cockrell, who was to become his wife of 49 years.

Bill continued his successful football career at the University of Missouri, where he received a master of arts degree, followed by a doctorate in German literature at the College of Wooster in Ohio.

He taught German language and literature at the college level nearly 20 years. His greatest concern was his students and he spent countless hours nurturing their understanding of his material and counseling them toward success in their lives.

He was very proud of his nation and served in Korea during the conflict in 1954 as a language and artillery specialist.

Bill and Dorothy raised two sons, Kurt and Dirk, whose dedication to the values of fairness and family has been entirely to their credit.

Bill will be remembered by everyone who knew him as a gentle, polite intellectual who was always more interested in the lives of others than his own. He was fiercely loyal to his family, his country and his God. His dedication and love for his wife Dorothy was immeasurable and obvious to everyone who knew him.

He provided an example for the two sons he raised which could only be an aspiration for them. Dad was the best man we've ever known and his memory will live in everything we do.

A service will be held in July at Jackson.

Announcement courtesy of Rogue Valley/Grants Pass Funeral Alternatives in Medford.