Paul Wesley Wilkerson

Paul Wilkerson, of Odessa, TX, passed away on September 5, 2023. He was 66 years old. Paul was born on February 1, 1957, to parents, Hildred "Hot Shot" and Billie Wilkerson. He thoroughly enjoyed his childhood - growing up with his siblings, aunts, uncles, and numerous cousins. He loved spending holidays and weekends with everyone at his grandparents' home. He also spent a lot of his childhood traveling around the country to be with his dad, who was a pipeliner. He Loved being with his dad. As he grew older, he began helping his dad out on the pipeline until finally, he too, became a pipeline operator/ mechanic. He had a blast living in Arkansas driving dump trucks with his friends. Judging from the stories he would tell; he was lucky to have made it through some of his escapades. He was always a handful. He met Pennie Cozens in January of 1980 when he was out having fun on the town. They were married on August 9 th of that year and just celebrated their 43rd wedding anniversary. Paul would always joke that "a few of them were pretty good." He and Pennie traveled around the country for years with their kids, Ashley and Patrick, as Paul worked on the pipeline. He met and traveled around with numerous friends that he always cherished like family. Later in life, Paul went into business for himself, installing septic systems and doing general backhoe work across the Permian Basin. He also worked as Field Supervisor for the Ector County Utility District. In November of 2011, Paul's granddaughter, Burklee, was born. She was his true love and he adored her. Burklee could sit around for hours and tell her PaPaw stories that would just crack him up to the point of tears. Paul's favorite time of the year was the annual Whisenhunt-Wilkerson Family Reunion in Abilene. He loved getting together and sharing memories with all of his cousins, aunts and uncles. Paul packed a lot of living into his 66 years of life. There are many of stories to tell about him. But the best part of him was his heart. It was filled with love and forgiveness. He was blessed with wisdom, and if you ever needed anything he would do all that he could to help you. All of his friends that he met throughout his life can testify to that, he loved them all dearly. Paul is survived by his wife, Pennie Wilkerson, of Odessa. His children, Ashley Lawson and her husband, Justin, of Buda, TX, and Patrick Wilkerson, and his wife, Lily, of San Diego, CA. His granddaughter, Burklee Lawson. His sister, Shirley Peterson, and her husband, David. His sister, Debra Gordon, and her husband, Doug. His brother, Brian Wilkerson, along with numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Paul was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Jerry Don Wilkerson, and several aunts, uncles, and cousins who we know he is having a wonderful reunion with now. A celebration of life will be held September 8, 2023 at American Heritage Funeral Home at 10:00am.

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Paul Wesley Wilkerson

February 1, 1957 - September 5, 2023