Carroll J. “Bud†Wilkins

November 28, 1935 - July 15, 2012

Carroll J. “Bud†Wilkins, of Cadillac, passed away Sunday, July 15, 2012, at his home after a lengthy illness, surrounded by his loving family and the wonderful people of Mercy Hospice. He was 76. He was born November 28, 1935, in Delray, W.Va., and came to Michigan at a young age with his parents. After graduating from Lincoln Park High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict. In 1956, he married June Gorham and was blessed with two children during their 14-year marriage, a daughter, Carol, and a son, James. In 1978, he married the former Joan Grice (Gauld) of Cadillac, with whom he enjoyed many happy years in the company of their large blended family. Employed at Speeds Automotive for 42 years and retiring in 2006, Bud continued to visit the store almost daily for coffee, doughnuts, the latest news and a fresh joke. For many years, he was active in the local chapter of the Miss America Pageant, serving as the executive director from 1986 to 2002. His beloved pageant family selected him as the first inductee into the Local Association of Michigan Pageants (L.A.M.P.) Hall of Fame. He was also actively involved in the Jerry Lewis Telethon for 12 years. Right up to his final day, Bud was always good for a new joke and brought much laughter and color to those around him. His many children and grandchildren were the lights of his life, his door always open to each of them. He is survived by his wife, Joan of Cadillac; children, Carol (Art) Hurd and Jim (Judy) Wilkins of Ohio; stepchildren Mike (Jean) Gauld, Laurie Gauld, Julie (Dale) Rice, Shari Miller, and Bradley Gauld of Cadillac; 19 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren; sisters, Phyllis Nims and Lucille (Paul) Fater; sister-in-law Mary Grice (Jerry) Keith; brothers-in-law Richard and John Grice, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, H. Ivan and Hazel Wilkins; brother-in-law, Carl Nims; and step-great-grandson Hunter Flemming. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, July 18, 2012, at Peterson Funeral Home in Cadillac. Interment will be at the Mount Carmel Cemetery in Cadillac. Visitation will be on Tuesday, July 17, 2012, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Mercy Hospice. An online guestbook is available at www.petersonfh.com.