Benjamin W. Wilkinson Oct. 20, 1957 – May 10, 2018
Benjamin (Ben) W. Wilkinson passed away peacefully during his battle with cancer, surrounded by his family and friends on May 10, 2018. Ben was born in St. Joseph’s Hospital on Oct. 20, 1957. He was a graduate of AA Stagg High School, class of 1975. During his teens he was a member of the Stockton Police Commodores Drum and Bugle Corps where he was a member of the drum section and traveled the country during the summers with the corps. During his late teens he worked at the Stagecoach Restaurant, where he learned to love the restaurant business. He then became interested in the radio business where he worked for KSTN and then KWG as promotional director. While there he worked with radio personalities Ross Brown, Jack Kirkwood, and station director Ken Thompson. Ben was then drawn back to the restaurant business and worked at some of the finest restaurants in Stockton and Lodi. Ben spent the rest of his life as a host/manager working at Papapovlos, LeBistro, and Hazels in Lodi. Most recently he worked at Bud’s Seafood Restaurant until he was forced to retire due to his illness.
Ben was always known for his upbeat personality, keen sense of humor and ability to make people laugh. He was extremely popular with his many, many friends and family members, had a kind heart and was known to many as “Gentle Ben”. He was extremely loyal and will be greatly missed.
Ben was preceded in death by his grandparents and his father Jack Wilkinson.
He is survived by his mother Shirley Wilkinson, sisters Patty (Don) Doty, Jenni (Rowan) Wilkinson, his uncle Paul Juencke, and nephews Jake (Lauryn) Doty and Dustin Doty, and many, many cousins.
The family wishes to especially thank Ben’s dear friends: “Corvette Nancy” Furr for getting Ben to his many Dr. appointments and the Dr’s and staff at UC Davis. To Debbie “Brack”-Duplichan and Carol “Smoochie” Williams who faithfully stood by Ben during his illness and were at his side in the hospital during the many months of his illness. Our family is humbled by their love and dedication to our Benny. We would also like to thank his cousins Muffin & Telpher Mangrum for their endless love and support and the wonderful staff and nurses at St. Joseph’s Hospital and the personnel of Hospice of San Joaquin who were always on call with their loving and kind care.
A celebration of life will be held: Saturday, May 19, 2018 at 10am Donohue Funeral Home, 123 N. School St., Lodi, CA
There will be a private family internment.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to: -The American Cancer Society, 207 E. Alpine Ave, Stockton, CA 95204 – Hospice of San Joaquin, 3888 Pacific Ave., Stockton, CA 95204 – Sponsors of Musical Enrichment (SOME), c/o 5143 White Birch Ct., Stockton, CA. 95207