Husband, Dad, and Grandpa, or “Jim the Truck Driver,” you had many roles in our lives and we are having an incredibly hard time saying “Goodbye”.

James “Jim” Anthony Wilkinson was born June 1,1937 in Billings, Montana to Carl C. Wilkinson and Mavis E. Morgan Wilkinson. With the exception of a few years living in Missoula, he and his younger brother, Tom, grew up on the South Side of Billings. Jim graduated from Billings Senior High School.

One night, while driving “The Point” in Downtown Billings with friends he met Carol A. Reynolds who had talked her mother into driving she and her friends around. Even though she was from Central Catholic High, and he was from Billings Senior High, they soon started dating. They married on June 15, 1957 and were married for 69 years.

While Dad briefly worked as a salesman, he found his true calling in driving truck, and he did so safely and skillfully for over 38 years. When he wasn’t driving truck, he might be driving the boat and netting fish for Carl, Dave and Rich. Even though he did not love horses, he hauled daughters, Mik and Sherry, to many 4-H shows and parades. Dad would not claim to be a teacher, but when Jon was only 13 or 14, Dad successfully taught him to drive the old Dodge with the tricky clutch.

Other activities he loved included watching his sons compete in track, baseball and hockey, reading, model railroading, doing auto body work, and painting cars. In his later years, Dad walked the Mall in the mornings, watched classic movies, and drove Carol on adventures in the South West. Although, even Dad described himself as a “grumpy old man,” he actually loved telling stories to his kids, grand kids, and even people he had just met. He was very grateful for the company and help of his youngest daughter, Susan, and her husband, Earl, in his last few months. Dad passed away on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at Billings Clinic Hospital.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl C. Wilkinson and Mavis E. Morgan Wilkinson, mother-in-law, Mary Kologi Reynolds, father-in-law, Robert M. Reynolds, daughter, J. (Jeanne) Erin Montanne, brother, Thomas K. Wilkinson, sisters-in-law Judy Wilkinson and Roberta C. Reynolds.

Dad is survived by his beloved wife, Carol Ann Reynolds Wilkinson, children, Michele (Vince) Serumgard, Sherry (Rick) Brester-Cole, David Wilkinson, Rich (Maren) Wilkinson, Susan (Earl) Tate, Jon (Jill) Wilkinson, grandchildren, Jeremy, Kevin, Tazsia, Rio, Jordan, Kade, and great granddaughter, Madison Lea.

Cremation has taken place with service and burial at Holy Cross Cemetery to be announced at a later date. Dad, We Love You! Keep on Trucking!