Billy Allen Wilker

Billy “Bill” Allen Wilker, age 79, left this earth peacefully on December 13, 2023. He was born On May 14, 1944, in Ellendale, MN to Alver and Edyth (Steele) Wilker. He was the youngest and four children, and the only boy-you can only imagine how that worked out for him. He spent his life on a farm and graduated from Ellendale High School in 1962. He met the true love of his life Judy DeVriendt in high school-they were good friends that turned into a 46-year marriage.

 

After high school he and Judy moved to Owatonna, MN where he became the milk man-his first foray into sales, which was his true professional passion. Little troy joined the family there. Following that position came many sales jobs in various companies and locations which eventually resulted in his arrival in the Fox Valley area-and the arrival of Michele "Shelly".

 

Bill loved the Packers and was a dyed in the wool fan-and went to at least one live game every year-an occasional perk of his job. He also enjoyed the outdoors, but especially snowmobiling and boating. He always had an Artic Cat and that became a source of good-natured contention between he and Troy who went on to own a Polaris. There are stories told of both Troy and Shelly AND “the originals”-better known as the grandchildren falling asleep while the snowmobile was moving.

 

Family was a passion for Bill-no matter where his travels took him. He was truly a free spirit and always had wanderlust, but his family always brought him back to center. He loved to play jokes and loved to be the life of any party.

 

Bill is survived by his children: Ricki, Troy (Marina), and Michele "Shelly"; grandchildren: Heather, Adam, Nathaniel, Evan, Meleyna, and Alexander; great grandchildren: Charlee, Brynlee, and Bodde; life-long friend Judy as well as other good friends and family.

 

Waiting in Heaven for Bill for the great reunion were his parents, his sisters: Dianna (Dean) Yahnke, Sandra (Elton) Elhert, and Sylvia (Mike) Chapman; Ricki’s mother Vicky Green, Heather and Nate’s mother Sheila Novachich and many other good friends and family. 

 

A memorial service will take place on Friday December 22, 2023, at 3:00pm at Wichmann Funeral Home-Jansen Fargo location, 204 Kimberly Ave, Kimberly. Friends and family may gather at the funeral home from 1:00pm until the service begins.