Alan S. Wilkerson

The First Sergeant has reported to his final permanent duty station. The family is still awaiting word whether he needs his temperate or hot weather gear shipped to his new duty location.

Chief Master Sergeant Alan Sedwick Wilkerson lost his sixteen-year battle with multiple myeloma cancer on March 1, 2026.

He was born in Staunton on November 22, 1955, he was the son of the late United States Marine Corps First Sergeant Raymond Overton and Jean Davis Wilkerson.

He was a 1974 graduate of Buffalo Gap High School and held associate degrees in Electronic Technology, Instructor Technology, and Personal Administration.

Chief Wilkerson retired from active duty in the United States Air Force in 2002 having served over twenty-six years in defense of freedom world-wide. He had many passions in life. First, and foremost, family and friends, but also his calling as a United States Air Force First Sergeant; a position he held for over thirteen years of his military career. Post retirement he became interested in family genealogy and discovered and documented information he willingly shared with all extended family members. He also loved the outdoors, whether hunting, fishing, or gardening, he was always happy to be in the mountains of Virginia, particularly those in the Shenandoah Valley.

Al touched and influenced many lives in his time on this earth which could be argued was too short or too long depending on where you stood in his cross hairs. Some would say he was a jerk, and a few of those may possibly be correct. He was an honest and loyal friend to many but also able to quickly decide if one was no longer deserving of his time and counsel. He was quick witted, opinionated to a degree many would understand, and lived for the debate. He was so displeased that cancer finally won the battle he had fought since 2010, it was his desire to be cremated thereby ensuring the final word in this personal war against cancer be his own Mutual Assured Destruction. And speaking of final words, and being in control as he always was, these words are his own and an exercise he believed everyone should attempt.

Surviving family members include his bride of more than fifty years, Cynthia Ruth Clem Wilkerson, his high school sweetheart he married in 1975, his son, Robert Alan and daughter-in-law, Laura Wilkerson of Lewes, DE; his daughter, Cheryl Ann and son-in-law, Ryan Gallagher of Kathleen, GA; his brother, USAF Master Sergeant (Retired) Kem and his wife, Deborah Wilkerson of Chaska, MN; and six precious grandchildren,, Samantha, Andrew, Logan, Emily, Ashley, and Bryce.

A memorial service will be held at 4:00 PM on Saturday, April 4, 2026, at 1400-1800 hours (2:00 PM to 6:00 PM for you civilian types) at the Ruritan Hall (54 Cherry Grove Road, Middlebrook, VA). Taps will sound promptly at 1600 (4:00 PM) signifying the end of the duty day and final farewell. No tears, no flowers, no memorial contributions - just share stories, a good laugh, and maybe some bourbon with friends.

A very special thank you to Dr. Rob Marsh and staff and UVA Augusta Dr. Nick Paphitis and nursing staff who kept Al going for much longer than he deserved.

Burial will be private at Thornrose Cemetery in Staunton.