Celebrating the life of
R. M. "Bud" Wilkes
July 22, 1923 - March 20, 2016
SAVANNAH - Mr. R.M. (Bud) Wilkes, died at the age of 92 on March 20th, Palm Sunday, 2016, at St. Joseph’s Hospital, in Savannah, surrounded by his children. He was born the 22nd of July, 1923, in the small town of Cobbtown, Georgia, and spent much of his youth in the nearby town of Collins. A graduate of the University of Notre Dame, C’48, Bud Wilkes pursued a career in maritime shipping in the port cities of Norfolk, New Orleans, Houston, and Savannah, having studied international commerce at Notre Dame. His years at Notre Dame were interrupted by World War II and military service, after which he returned to campus and completed his degree, a Bachelor of Science in Commerce.
Mr. Wilkes served as a staff sergeant in World War II in the 102nd Infantry Division along the Roer River in Germany during the harsh winter of 1944-1945, and also in the advance of the division to Stendal, on the Elbe River. As a volunteer with a small band of soldiers of some renown, called Rogers’ Night Raiders, he made reconnaissance and combat missions across the Roer River, and was awarded the Silver Star for bravery, the Bronze Star plus Oak Leaf Cluster, two Purple Hearts when wounded in the line of duty, an honorary French Croix de Guerre, and a Russian Bravery Medal as a special honor. In recent years, Bud Wilkes has become something of an author, writing two books, one fiction, The Linden, and one non-fiction, A Long Ago Soldier, relating his experiences in the war. Both are published and available. He also completed a third, for his children: the story of his beloved wife Sara.
After the war, and upon completion of his time at Notre Dame, Bud married Sara Garner, of Buford, Georgia. Theirs was an enduring relationship, moving from one port city to the next and rearing three children. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1998, just weeks before Sara’s own death. He is survived by his three children, R. Mitchell Wilkes, Jr., living in San Diego, California, his younger son Thomas G. Wilkes, and his daughter Barbara J. Wilkes, both of Savannah, his daughter-in-law, Carole, and granddaughter Meredith, of San Diego, California. He is also survived by two brothers, Gene H. Wilkes of Claxton, Georgia, and Eddie D. Wilkes of Rome, Georgia.
Mr. Wilkes’ long career in shipping spanned more than 65 years. For the first 25 of those years, he served Strachan Shipping Company, moving from Houston to assume leadership of the Savannah office, where he served with distinction and successfully helped to build the port of Savannah into the entity it has become. He opened Wilkes Shipping Agency during the 1970's, serving the needs of much larger concerns, including American Export Lines and Farrell Lines, of New York. Later, in 1988, he opened the offices of Forest Products International, which continues in operation today and serves the needs of the paper industry, particularly those of International Paper, along with Spliethoff Shipping of Amsterdam. Spliethoff executive Aernaut Meijer has enlarged upon the strong relationships that Mr. Wilkes built, “establishing for them a regular line between the USA and the Mediterranean Sea,” adding “You have no idea how we respected him.” Indeed, Bud Wilkes was not only an icon of the shipping community, and one of its most knowledgeable members, but also one of the most honorable men one might find. More than one businessman has remarked “You could do business with him on a handshake.” Such was the character of this man, this Notre Dame man.
Even more in character was his devotion to family, to his loving wife Sara, to his three children, and in later years to his daughter-in-law and his granddaughter. Words like kind, sweet, gentle, and honorable always attend conversations about this man, whether they come from nurses, grocery-store clerks, businessmen or, indeed, his three children. As a father, he was without equal. Every business trip to Europe was accompanied by gifts from exotic lands. Every dollar saved and not spent was a dollar set aside for the needs of his children. He was a loving father, a loving husband, a loving man.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 pm on Wednesday, March 23rd at Fox & Weeks Funeral Home, on Hodgson Memorial in Savannah. The funeral liturgy will be conducted at St. John’s Episcopal Church at noon, on Thursday, March 24th, and the Interment will be at Greenwich Cemetery, in Savannah. Full military honors will be observed. Flowers are welcome. The family suggests other remembrances be made in his memory either to the Annual Fund at the University of Notre Dame, at Notre Dame, Indiana 46556-5612 or to the American Heart Association, 1101 Northchase Parkway, Marietta, GA 30067.
Please sign our on-line guest book at www.foxandweeks.com
My sincere condolences to the Wilks Family on the passing of your dear loved one. May Jehovah God, the God of comfort grant you his peace while you await the fulfillment of his promise at John 5:28(to resurrect those who have been asleep in death). May fond memories of Bud linger in your hearts and bring you peace in the days to come.
- Henry, Lawrenceville, GA
Mitch, Tom, and Barbara - How sad we were to learn of your father's passing. We were fortunate to have Bud ("Mr. Wilkes")as a neighbor and a friend. We enjoyed many conversations dealing with the status of the world to the status of his beloved Notre Dame football team. Our prayers are with you during this sad time. He will be missed.
- George, Michele, John, and Pierce Beckett, Savannah, GA
As one of Bud's neighbors I will surely miss the conversations we used to have. He autographed one of his books for us. I thoroughly enjoyed it and was amazed at the life he lived. He will be missed. God Bless?
- Rob & Deena Demchak, Savannah, Ga
In the sixteen years I worked with Mr. Wilkes and Spliethoff, he was always willing to share his profound knowledge of the shipping industry with me as a representative of International Paper. The measure of this man was his impeccable character. A true gentlemen who understood the art of negotiating. He loved his family and the many shipping contacts. I will miss our chats- but rejoice as he is now with his dear Sarah.
- Earnestine West, Memphis , Tn
Dear Mitch, Tom, Barbara, Carole, and Meredith, You are in my thoughts and prayers, especially tonight and through the day tomorrow. I have clear memories of Uncle Bud as a giant of a man with a quiet, deep voice and an easy smile. Humility was a clear sign of his greatness as a man. May your own precious memories bring smiles to soften the grief.
- Don Garner, Morristown , TN
Mitch and family, RM senior is a sterling example of why his generation will always be known as "Great." Even that word does not do this fine man justice. I know that you will keep him in your heart. Tom Baker
- Tom Baker, Atlanta, Georgia
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. I worked for your dad at Ryan-Walsh and he was a delightful man. I had great respect for both he and Mrs. Wilkes. Prayers sent out for your family.
- Judy Walker, Pooler, GA
Dear Mitch,Tom,and Barbara, David and I were sad to learn of your father's passing. David has enjoyed corresponding with him over the last several years . He especially enjoyed Uncle Bud's books. I am sorry that I did not get to know him well. He was one of "the greatest generation." I know that when he arrived in heaven he and your Mom had a joyous reunion. Our prayers are with you at this most difficult time. David and Lori White
- David and Lori White, Phenix City, AL
Bud's passing is a great loss to us all. I can count on one hand those in our industry of whom I never heard a bad word. Bud was one of these. In reading his obituary, I never knew he was a war hero, but that's not surprising as he was never about himself, only others. That in itself is the mark of a real hero. Bud will surely be missed. Condolences to his family.
- Roy Page, Savannah, GA
Kind, sweet, gentle and honorable are definitely words that describe Mr. Wilkes. I feel blessed and honored to have known him the last few years and I will miss his earthly presence. I will think of him every time I hear about his beloved Notre Dame "fighting Irish." My condolences to Tom and Barbara and the rest of the family.
- Robin Lewis, Savannah, GA
My sincere condolences to the Wilks Family on the passing of your dear loved one. May Jehovah God, the God of comfort grant you his peace while you await the fulfillment of his promise at John 5:28(to resurrect those who have been asleep in death). May fond memories of Bud linger in your hearts and bring you peace in the days to come.
- Henry, Lawrenceville, GA
Mitch, Tom, and Barbara - How sad we were to learn of your father's passing. We were fortunate to have Bud ("Mr. Wilkes")as a neighbor and a friend. We enjoyed many conversations dealing with the status of the world to the status of his beloved Notre Dame football team. Our prayers are with you during this sad time. He will be missed.
- George, Michele, John, and Pierce Beckett, Savannah, GA
As one of Bud's neighbors I will surely miss the conversations we used to have. He autographed one of his books for us. I thoroughly enjoyed it and was amazed at the life he lived. He will be missed. God Bless?
- Rob & Deena Demchak, Savannah, Ga
In the sixteen years I worked with Mr. Wilkes and Spliethoff, he was always willing to share his profound knowledge of the shipping industry with me as a representative of International Paper. The measure of this man was his impeccable character. A true gentlemen who understood the art of negotiating. He loved his family and the many shipping contacts. I will miss our chats- but rejoice as he is now with his dear Sarah.
- Earnestine West, Memphis , Tn
Dear Mitch, Tom, Barbara, Carole, and Meredith, You are in my thoughts and prayers, especially tonight and through the day tomorrow. I have clear memories of Uncle Bud as a giant of a man with a quiet, deep voice and an easy smile. Humility was a clear sign of his greatness as a man. May your own precious memories bring smiles to soften the grief.
- Don Garner, Morristown , TN
Mitch and family, RM senior is a sterling example of why his generation will always be known as "Great." Even that word does not do this fine man justice. I know that you will keep him in your heart. Tom Baker
- Tom Baker, Atlanta, Georgia
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. I worked for your dad at Ryan-Walsh and he was a delightful man. I had great respect for both he and Mrs. Wilkes. Prayers sent out for your family.
- Judy Walker, Pooler, GA
Dear Mitch,Tom,and Barbara, David and I were sad to learn of your father's passing. David has enjoyed corresponding with him over the last several years . He especially enjoyed Uncle Bud's books. I am sorry that I did not get to know him well. He was one of "the greatest generation." I know that when he arrived in heaven he and your Mom had a joyous reunion. Our prayers are with you at this most difficult time. David and Lori White
- David and Lori White, Phenix City, AL
Bud's passing is a great loss to us all. I can count on one hand those in our industry of whom I never heard a bad word. Bud was one of these. In reading his obituary, I never knew he was a war hero, but that's not surprising as he was never about himself, only others. That in itself is the mark of a real hero. Bud will surely be missed. Condolences to his family.
- Roy Page, Savannah, GA
Kind, sweet, gentle and honorable are definitely words that describe Mr. Wilkes. I feel blessed and honored to have known him the last few years and I will miss his earthly presence. I will think of him every time I hear about his beloved Notre Dame "fighting Irish." My condolences to Tom and Barbara and the rest of the family.
- Robin Lewis, Savannah, GA
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
