Michael Austin Wilkerson of Deweyville, Texas went to be with our Lord on June 27, 2020.
Michael was born June 30, 1996 to his loving parents Rusty and Patrice Wilkerson. Michael has always had a special love for music and bikes. He was very open-minded when it came to music. He played the guitar a lot and he had recently began playing his own style of music. Occasionally posting videos of himself playing on social media. Friends and Family loved to hear him play, when he played he played from the heart you could feel his love for it.
He was a member of Calvary Church in Deweyville and before graduating High School he played in the church band. If Michael wasn’t playing music he was on his bike.
Michael wasn’t a possessive or confrontational person but the love he had for his Mom and Dad, his red truck, guitars, and Harley Davidson motorcycle it was best that you show them all respect and not mess with these loves in his life. Michael enjoyed to go on rides and to bike rallies with his dad and friends and his mom even tagged along from time to time. He was always the youngest rider when they went to rallies but you would never know there was an age difference he was just one of the guys and fit right in. He stayed pretty local, rarely going farther than Texas and Louisiana. He loved the country back roads. Sometimes he rode alone but most rides included his Dad.
From a young age Michael always had a love for riding and he was fearless. While riding a dirt bike he would always holler across the yard for mom and dad to watch him jump, after announcing the jump while still accelerating the bike he would twist his neck to watch their faces waiting for that approval smile and would crash every time. As a teen Michael and his parents were members of a local hunting lease. Boys will be boys as we all know. One day he and a friend took a one week old four wheeler out and decided they wanted to attempt to climb a pine tree with it, that didn’t work out as planned and the new 4 wheeler didn’t take it very well. Needless to say, Michael had many fun times, crazy adventures, and wonderful memories with loved ones. Whether he was with family or friends he always had a great time.
Michael graduated from Deweyville High School in 2015. Like many other schools Deweyville always celebrated Red Ribbon Week this consisted of a drug awareness march around town along with a week full of drug prevention activities. One year Michael came in from school he was about 6 or 7 years old, he saw his dad kicked back on the couch after a long day at work and approached him and in his calm sweet voice said and I quote, “Do you do crack?” Dad didn’t elaborate on the details of that full conversation. But this was Michael, very sweet, yet very blunt.
Michael never met a stranger. He was the kindest most forgiving person and never held grudges or judged others. Well out loud anyway, I’m sure over the years on all those bike rallies, Renaissance Festivals, and other adventures he took part in he silently judged one or two. There are some unique individuals out there. Michael’s family owned and ran Deweyville LP Gas Company for many years. His father was blessed with many one on one talks and rides on the gas truck over the years with him. He even hitched a ride to school in the company truck once or twice over the years.
Michael enjoyed his job at South Newton Water Supply in Deweyville. His coworkers adored him. They described him as a hard worker, easy going, and very positive person. They also stated that he always volunteered to take the call out phone after hours. Some say he done it for the love and passion for his job others said he just liked that extra dollar on his paycheck. Either way he always took on the load of possible overtime. Michael impacted the life of every person he came in contact with and will never be forgotten.
Michael will always be remembered by his loved ones for his beautiful smile and his wonderful personality. Michael is proceeded in death by his grandfather, Richard Wilkerson, aunt, Raelynn Williford and uncle, Ricky Wilkerson.
Those that will cherish his memory most are his loving parents Rusty and Patrice Wilkerson of Deweyville, TX, Girlfriend Karlee Bishop of Mauriceville, TX, loving Grandparents, Sharon Wilkerson, Pat Anglin and Mary Anglin and several loving aunts, uncles, cousins, and extended family and friends. When you feel the need to grieve for Michael please know that his wings were ready for him and he is riding the streets of Heaven pickin’ those golden guitar strings. Turn the music up enjoy the fresh air and all the memories you have.
The family will receive friends 10:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. Friday, July 3, 2020 with the funeral service to begin at 1:00 p.m. at Calvary Baptist Church, Deweyville, Texas. Pastor John Fortenbury will officiate. Interment will follow at Deweyville Cemetery, Deweyville, Texas.
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