Aubrey Wilkinson was born June 20, 1924 to John and Mabel Wilkinson in Coleman County, Texas and died April 14, 2010.
He was the 12th of 13 children, all who preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Joyce Wilkinson. He is also survived by his daughter, Pama Fontenot and husband Jamie of Oak Hill; son, Everett Wilkinson and wife Sharon of Kyle; and daughter-in-law Debbie Wilkinson of Round Rock. Grandchildren include Sarah Alsteen and husband Louis, Anna Hyde, Katie Hall and husband Guy, Rebecca Nickle and husband Sam, Krystal Wilkinson, Justin Wilkinson, Ben Hyde, Laura Hyde, Joseph McClughan and Shelby Woodall; great-grandchildren Gabriel Alsteen, Kayla Alsteen, Aiden Hyde, Christian Daniels, Kacy Nickle and Gavin Daniels.
At the age of approximately 18 months he was stricken with polio, which left him with paralysis and caused problems throughout his life. He had at least 13 surgeries, some of which were to correct problems related to the polio. He was a very determined person and pursued life with zest and a great sense of humor.
In 1944 he left the farm and moved to Austin to seek his fortune. He worked at a machine shop where he rebuilt automobile engines, at Lindsey Auto Electric, at Bergstrom Air Force Base until the war was over, at Long’s Radio Shop and the Austin Transit Company. He had worked on every kind of farm equipment known to man so he had no trouble finding work.
On June 29, 1947 he accepted the Lord as his Savior. Soon after he took the responsibility of teaching Junior boys in Sunday School. He quit his job because that required Sunday work. In 1948 he felt the Lord calling him to preach so he set off for Baylor. He preached some at Creedmoor Community Church, Mt. Gainer and other small churches. He accepted the pastorate at Sprinkle Baptist Church in a small community outside of Austin. The name was soon changed because it might give some the idea that the church practiced sprinkling instead of immersion for baptism. He also pastored at Onion Creek Baptist Church in Austin, and Liberty Hill Baptist Church. In 1957 he moved his family to California where he pastored three churches. Because of declining health the family moved back to Austin in 1972 to be closer to family.
He earned a degree from Devry Technical Institute in “Space and Missile Electronics” and a degree from the Los Angeles Trade Technical College, received a ”Radio Telephone Operator License” and attended the Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Austin to learn New Testament Greek.
He continued to be faithful in church services and activities until recent years, teaching adults in Sunday School, and serving as Building Superintendent in the building of the Countryside Baptist Church located in rural Kyle.
He wrote a manual for new church members and taught from it several times. He also wrote a book about his life entitled “The Best Life One Could Ever Have.” He was faithful to witness of his faith and became very concerned about his twin brother who did not know Jesus as his personal savoir. He won him to the Lord while talking to him over the phone.
He was interested in every aspect of life. He was an inventor although he was never able to get anything patented. He never quit studying and learning. He liked to play the harmonica and joined the group who played at the barbeque restaurant in Kyle. He also took piano lessons in earlier years.
The family often joked that if we gave him enough time he could figure out any problem and fix it. He built two houses, repaired cars, tractors, worked on televisions and anything else that was broken.
As the polio rebounded into the Post Polio Syndrome it became harder for him to have a garden and later to walk or participate in regular activities. It was very hard on him to not be active. He was ready for his heavenly home although he didn’t want to leave his family whom he dearly loved.
He will be greatly missed, but at long last he has been released from pain and suffering and is at Jesus’ feet.
