Dennis L. Wilkerson

Dennis L. "Easy" Wilkerson, age 65 of Louisville, Kentucky passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 4, 2024. He was born on October 4, 1958 in Southport, North Carolina to the late Joseph Winfield Wilkerson, Sr. and Eva Corene Johnson Wilkerson. Dennis graduated from West Brunswick High School in 1978, and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps where he rose through the ranks, attaining the rank of Sergeant. During his period of service, he was stationed at Camp Lejeune, NC, Washington, D.C. Marine Barracks, Camp Pendleton, CA, and the U.S. Marine Corps Recruiting Command in Louisville, KY. He was proudest to serve with the Marine Corps' Silent Drill Platoon in Washington, DC. where he met and married Yvette Willis. Together, they graced the world with two beautiful daughters. After separating from Active Duty in 1990, Dennis embarked on a career in optometry, working on the technical staff with Hour Eyes, LensCrafters and Vision Works. He would end his career at Sealed Air and MISA, in Louisville, KY.

Dennis loved playing games of all kinds; card games and board games were his favorites. Most of all, he loved spending time, laughing, and breaking bread with his family and closest friends. He often hosted gatherings that brought family members to his home from far and wide to cookout, celebrate "the Derby" and just "hang out" watching a variety of sports.

He follows into Glory, his parents, Joseph W. Wilkerson, Sr. and Eva C. Johnson-Wilkerson-Bynum, paternal uncles, Robert (Emma) and Thomas (Helen) Wilkerson and Alphonso "Phonsie" Diggs; maternal uncles, James "JP" Hewett, Hobson "Hobby" Bryant, and John "Johnny" Smith; paternal aunt, Helen Wilkerson-Thompson, and Maternal Aunt Marian "Laverta" Smith; and grandson, Braedyn Lindell Wilkerson.

Dennis leaves to cherish his memory his beloved daughters, Denae Lynn Wilkerson-Jones (Joseph "Joe") and Jasmin Yvette Wilkerson; siblings, Joseph "Jody" (Regina), Kenneth "Kenny" (Loretta), and Donzell "Donnie" Wilkerson (Tamica), Sharonette Cockrell, and Kirk Sayles (Tameca); maternal aunts, Laura "Mazell" Bryant (Hobson), Doris Hewett (James); and paternal uncle, George "Carver" Gore (Ella); four grandchildren, Kaia, Quinton, Ezra and Avrielle; and a host of deeply loved nieces, nephews, in-laws, cousins, friends and fellow believers.

Visitation will be from 11am to 12:30pm on Thursday, January 11, 2024 at Newcomer Cremations, Funerals and Receptions, East Louisville Chapel, 235 Juneau Drive, Louisville, Kentucky 40243, with a celebration of Dennis' life at 12:30pm.

The service will be livestreamed at the scheduled service time. Click here to view the service.

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