William “Bill” Brooks Wilkinson, Jr. MD, 60 passed away Tuesday. Born in Huntsville, Bill grew up in Florence and graduated from Bradshaw High School and the University of Alabama, where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon.
He served four years in the US Navy as an Intelligence Officer in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. He returned to Huntsville where he worked for Cray Research as a computer engineer.
Bill decided to follow his heart and enrolled in UAB Medical School where he was honored as a third year member of Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society, and graduated Magna Cum Laude. He completed his residency in surgery at Carraway Methodist Medical Center in Birmingham. Bill scored in the top 20 in the nation on his surgery boards to become a Board Certified General Surgeon. He was a Fellow of The American College of Surgeons.
Bill loved math, physics, and reading of any kind. He was an accomplished pianist and guitarist who also loved animals.
He loved spending time with James, coaching his soccer teams, snow skiing and scuba diving. An avid world traveler, Bill spoke six languages. He was also a former pilot.
He was preceded in death by his father, William Brooks Wilkinson, grandparents, Vastus and Milton Cummings, and grandmother, Paralee Morrison.
Survivors include his wife, Sarah; son, James Pierce Overstreet; daughter, Jessica Wilkinson Brantley of CA; granddaughter, Riley Grace Brantley; mother, Wallacia Morrison Tamburo; sister, Ann Wilkinson; and brother, Patrick Tamburo.
Visitation will be from 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday at Ridley Hall at the Church of Nativity Episcopal. The funeral service will follow at the church with Father Rusty McCown officiating. Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
