William “Willie” Wikman, 90, of Fort Smith, Arkansas passed away on Sunday, February 13, 2022. He was born on August 19, 1931 in Ann Arbor, Michigan to Harry and Pearl Wikman. Willie was a home builder and a retired Captain of the Fort Smith fireman for 35 years. He was a U.S. Army Veteran and the Arkansas National Guard and was a member of East Side Baptist Church. He loved life and his family and friends. He was a proud charter member of the “Lunkers and Liars” fishing club for many years. He was preceded in death by his son, Bill Wikman, a grandson, James Moore, a sister, Geneva Hurless, his brothers, Andy and Len Wikman and special friends, Bob Caperton and Carroll West.
He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Sandie Wikman; four daughters, Linda McCollister (Noah) of Altus, AR, Carol Curlin (Jim) of Fort Smith, AR, Pam Moore (Jimmy) of Omaha, NE and Tammie Kilgore of Fort Smith; his brother, Dr. John Wikman (Barbara) of Fort Smith; grandchildren, Hannah Marston (Jeremey), James Curlin (Rachel), Sarah Curlin, Jonathan William Curlin, Rodney Burkett (Stacie), Chanda Fetters (Phillip), McKenzie Sharp (Spencer), Nathan Moore, Will Cagle, Kyle and Jessie Matthews and Emily Wikman; eight great grandchildren and his sister’s in law, DeNelta Tyler, Paulin Wikman and Ernie Wikman and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services are 10:00 AM, Tuesday, February 22, 2022 at East Side Baptist Church Annex with burial with Fire Department honors at 12:00PM at the U.S. National Cemetery under the direction of Ocker-Putman Funeral Home of Fort Smith. The family would like to invite everyone to come back following the service for a meal and visitation in the Fellowship Hall at East Side Baptist Church.
Pallbearers will be the Fort Smith Fire Department. Honorary pallbearers will be the Jeanne Hardt’s Connect Group.
The Family would like to offer special thanks to the Heart of Hospice for the loving care they gave to Willie and especially his nurse Doris.