Willie J. Wilkes, Jr.

Willie J. Wilkes, Jr. “Sonny”, was born August 13, 1955, in Dayton, Ohio, one of seven children. He attended Roth High School, and then enlisted into the Navy. He later resided in Los Angeles in order to pursue his musical dreams.

His musical talents included playing with Buddy Miles and Chaka Khan. This was his life! The life of a musician; traveling to various venues and playing with the Gap Band, local singer Shirley Murdock, Zapp, Shawny Mack, Curtis Sanford and recently playing with Face 2 Face. Music was his favorite pastime, and he loved his bass guitar. He was a musical pioneer and liaison to a host of bands within the Greater Midwest region. In the midst of his musical career, he met the love of his life, Heather.

Willie was preceded in death by his father, Willie J. Wilkes, Sr.; mother, Delores Wilkes; uncle, Wilfred Wilkes; aunt, Ruby Mae Arnold; sister, Pamela Wilkes; brothers, Darryl and Tim Wilkes.

He is survived by sisters, Dwan Tarrance (Derrick), Sandra West, and Cynthia Brown; loving daughters, Chylon Wood (Stony), Dana Alexander (Richard), Samantha Robinson; stepchildren, Jacki and Walter “Scooter” Richardson; and a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

He was a man of hard work, integrity, humor, a provider, father, brother and husband who knew and demonstrated the importance of family in his life.

May God bless his soul as he enters into the gates of paradise.

 Walk-through visitation 9-11 am Friday, May 27, at House of Wheat Funeral Home, Inc., 2107 N. Gettysburg Ave. (Mask Required). Service at 11 am, can be viewed livestream. Link:  www.facebook.com/Stream-All-Services-102620271622310/ Final disposition cremation. 

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