RICHARD Wilks, Sr.

Richard Thomas Wilks, Sr.

Passed away April 29, 2017 after a battle with congestive heart failure.  He passed away peacefully in his home.

Born November 4, 1938,  in Los Angeles, CA, and raised in his teens in Las Vegas, NV, Dick led an active, fulfilling life.  An avid hiker, (hiking the Grand Canyon from the North to the South Rims) camper and biker as well as runner, he was very active in the Boyscouts of America earning many distinguished awards and later became a Leader in the Boyscouts.

He was a Lieutenant in the Navy and served his country valiantly for 5 years, including a tour of duty in Vietnam.

Dick received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from the University of Maryland and rose to the position of Director of Corporate Financial Services for the Marriott Corporation Headquarters located in Bethesda, MD where he retired after 25 years of service.

After retiring from Marriott, Dick’s skills as an accountant were still in demand and he served as an accountant for the American Red Cross during 9/11 as well as other groups and corporations such as Medimmune.

Dick and Carol, members of St. Andrew Presbyterian Church in Williamsport, MD were both active.  Dick was the President of the Presbyterian Men which grew under his leadership and he served in many other capacities there.

Dick became a volunteer at Antietam National Battlefield after moving to Boonsboro, MD in 2006.  He served there for 10 years and received his 10 year pin for his faithful service from the Park Rangers there.  Dick also volunteered at Harpers Ferry, the C&O Canal and Meritus Hospital where he worked at the front desk, the Cancer Center and served as a transporter of patients throughout the hospital.  He was well known in Washington County and surrounding areas due to his volunteer service and his activity in local Civil Round Tables both in Washington and Frederick Counties.  Dick was a wealth of information on the Civil War and could be seen frequently in booths in various areas as well as giving talks and information to the hundreds of visitors to the historic areas in the county.  He was known for his many papers that he wrote on the subject of the Civil War.

Dick and his wife, Carol traveled extensively around the world: the United States, (including Alaska) Canada, Europe (both East and West) and as far away as New Zealand.

Dick will surely be missed as a fixture in many local areas in the county.  He is survived by his wife, Carol and the following:  his sister, Christie Miller, his stepbrother Mike and wife Tana Wisniewski, Daughter Jo Ann  and husband, Bruce Hoff; sons, Jamie Richard Wilks and wife, Sarah Wilks and Richard Thomas Wilks, Jr., Granddaughter Jennifer Ward, Grandson Matthew Ward and fiancée Amber Hoffman,  and Grandson, Nicholas Wilks; Great Granddaughter Alexandra Hoy; Great Grandsons, Julian Ward, and Liam Wilks as well as his adopted family through his wife, Carol, that includes daughter, Lauri and husband Mark Kirby, son, Scott and wife, Heidi Denlinger,  Granddaughters, Sarah and Emma Denlinger, and Hannah Kirby, Grandson Wayne Styles and fiancee Gabbie Gordon and Great Grandson Noah Kenneth Styles.

Two Memorial Services will be held as follows:

Saturday, May 20, 2:00 PM Guests are asked to arrive no later than 1:45

Military Memorial Service at Antietam National Cemetery, Sharpsburg, MD

Sunday, May 28, 2:00 PM

St. Andrew Presbyterian Church 10813 Donelson Drive Williamsport, MD