Hollie Wilkes

Hollie Alonzo Wilkes passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 30, 2010 after a brief stay at Ollie Steele Burden Manor Nursing Home in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He was 88. He was born on June 25, 1922 and raised in Angie, Louisiana, after his family had relocated from St. Francisville, LA. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1940 after completing high school. Receiving training in aircraft maintenance and quickly attaining rank of master Sergeant, he served in World War II in the South Atlantic and European theatres, as a master mechanic and maintenance crew chief for the 449th B24 Liberator Heavy Bomber Group. While stationed in Italy, his 449th Wing played a major role in support of the allied invasion of Europe, flying many highrisk missions over Germany and the occupied territories while incurring many casualties. He was awarded a battlefield commission in 1945 as a Lieutenant, and earned many commendations including several bronze stars. After World War II, he remained in the military and move to the newly formed United States Air Force. The Air Force selected him to receive further education and he subsequently attendee Ohio State University and Oklahoma State University, earning a degree with honors in electrical engineering from Oklahoma State in 1959. He went on to perform critical research and development in communications for the Air Force, working as a lead design engineer and group leader in producing the NORAD Early Warning Complex in addition to command and control systems for the Air Force Strategic Air Command. He also led a research and development team, including scientists from MITs Lincoln Laboratories that produced the first communication satellites. He completed his military career at the USAF HQ at the Pentagon in Washington DC, as a United States Air Force Lieutenant Colonel. After retiring from the military, he began a second career in the private sector, working as an executive in engineering firms that provided research and development, hardware and manufacturing production research and aircraft communications. After retiring from the business world in 1982, he moved to Biloxi, MS and spent his time traveling with his wife, Exie, throughout Europe and the US, engaging in his favorite pastime of investing into the stock market, and enjoying the company of his children and grandchildren. Following Hurricane Katrina, he returned to Louisiana in 2005, living in Baton Rouge near his family. A loving husband, father, dedicated citizen and patriot who lived for his family and his country, he will be dearly missed by all who knew him. Mr. Wilkes was preceded in death by his father, Holly A. Wilkes who was killed on duty as a sheriff just before Hollie was born, mother, Addie Ball, and siblings, Alline, Pauline, Samuel, Monroe and Kerry. He is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Exie Huston Wilkes, son, Timothy and wife Linda and their children, Laura Lampin of Baton Rouge, Kendra Cole of Tampa, Florida, Brian Wilkes and wife Doreen and children Delaney and Reegan of Redding, CA. son, Angus and wife, Sheridan and their children, Lindsay C. Wilkes of Chicago, IL, Matt Wilkes of Austin, TX and Keith Wilkes of New Orleans. Visitation will be held at Resthaven Funeral Home, 11817 Jefferson Highway, on Monday December 6, 2010 from 10am until a military graveside service at Resthaven Gardens of Memory at 11am conducted by the Rev. Jerry Martin. The family would like to express special thanks to St. Josephs Carpenter House Hospice care nurse, David Waite and the courteous staff at Ollie Steele Burden Manor Nursing Home.

Visitation

Resthaven Funeral Home
11817 Jefferson Highway
Baton Rouge, LA  70816
Monday, December 6, 2010
10am

Service

Resthaven Funeral Home
11817 Jefferson Highway
Baton Rouge, LA  70816
Monday, December 6, 2010
11am

Cemetery

Resthaven Gardens of Memory
11817 Jefferson Highway
Baton Rouge, LA  70816