Obituaries

Michael Douglas Willkins

Photo of Michael Douglas Willkins
Michael Douglas Wilkins, age 58, of Fayetteville, Ark., passed away on December 25, 2022, after fighting a long, hard battle with cancer, like so many should not have to. He was born on February 13, 1964, at Larson A.F.B. in Moses Lake, Wash., to Melvin Andrew Wilkins and Charlotte Ann (Smith) Wilkins. Michael was a lifelong resident of Fayetteville after moving there in 1971, and graduated from Fayetteville High School in 1982. He married DesiRee Schrader on June 21, 1993, in Fayetteville. Michael worked in flexographic printing for 38 years, and recently retired from Packaging Specialties, Inc. He was a graduate of New York Institute of Photography, owning and operating ABC-123 Photography for two decades. Michael loved sports, coaching his son and daughter through elementary basketball and winning multiple district championships. He loved the outdoors, spending time mountain climbing and rappelling, cave exploring, fishing, camping, and riding his motorcycle. He was preceded in death by his parents, Melvin and Charlotte Wilkins. Michael is survived by his wife of 29 years, DesiRee; son, Blake Michael Wilkins of California; daughter, Bailey Breann Wilkins of Arkansas; four brothers, David Wilkins, Larry Wilkins, Richard Wilkins, and James Wilkins, all of northwest Arkansas; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews that were very dear to him. Memorial services will be 2 p.m., Friday, December 30, 2022, at Nelson-Berna Funeral Home in Fayetteville. Burial will follow at Fairview Memorial Gardens in Fayetteville. Memorial donations may be made to the animal shelter of your choice. To sign the online guestbook, please visit www.bernafuneralhomes.com. Arrangements are by Nelson-Berna Funeral Home of Fayetteville.

Published December 29, 2022

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