William "Bill" E. Wilkins

William E. Wilkins, age 76, passed away in the comfort of his own home with his loving wife Diane by his side on Saturday August 9, 2025, while under the compassionate guidance of Lightways Hospice in Joliet. Bill was a lifelong resident of Joliet, IL, raised by his parents Howard and Mary (née Anderson) Wilkins, and born on July 29, 1949.

Bill was born in Joliet and attended A.O. Marshall School, Gompers Junior High School, and Joliet Central High School, graduating as a member of the Class of 1967. He then went on to work for Rock Island Railroad as a switchman for ten years. On October 4th, 1975 he married the love of his life, Diane Krawchuck at St. Anne’s Catholic Church, and the two would have celebrated fifty years of marriage together later this year. Bill was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis at the age of thirty-two, which dramatically altered his life. He enjoyed doing body work on cars and motorcycles, which earned him the name “Bondo Bill”. His friends would gather around and hang out in the garage while Bill used his creative talents to fashion unique parts for his Harley bikes. Bill and Diane enjoyed several vacations with Roger and Enola Cirrencione, plus several cruises as a couple. Bill was a man who seldom discussed the pain that he endured so often for so many years, being a real trooper every day until the very end.

Bill was preceded in death by his mother Jean Anderson, his parents Howard and Mary Wilkins, his mother and father-in-law Alex and Josephine Krawchuck, his siblings; Donald (Jean) O’Dell, Robert (Rita) O’Dell, Kenneth O’Dell, and Richard Wilkins, his sister-in-law MaryAnne Walker, and brother-in-law Dennis Krawchuck. Many other extended family members and other loved ones have also passed.

He is survived by his devoted wife Diane Wilkins (née Krawchuck), sisters-in law Tasia O’Dell and Diane Wilkins, brother-in-law Duane (Diana Replyuk) Walker, his two Goddaughters Regina Dickover and Nicole Cirrencione, his lifelong friend Carlin (Pauline) Ingles, who was like a brother to Bill, and many other aunts, uncles, cousins, and other loved ones too numerous to name individually also survive.

The family would like to offer a special note of gratitude to Bill’s caregiver Guadalupe Vital and Lightways Nurse Tom and Nurse’s Assistant Cindy, for their countless hours of attention and care to ensure his personal comfort. In lieu of flowers, donations to Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care, 250 Water Stone Circle Dr., Joliet, IL 60431 and/or Will County Humane Society, Attn: Donations, 24109 W. Seil Rd., Shorewood, IL 60404 would be appreciated.

Per Bill’s wishes, cremation rites have been accorded and a private inurnment committal service will be celebrated at Saint Mary Nativity Cemetery, 601 Caton Farm Rd., Crest Hill, IL.