Exie Billingsley Wilkinson

Obituary Wife of Walter P. Wilkinson (deceased 1992) and mother of Jean Wilkinson Arnold of Greer, South Carolina, and David Wilkinson of Lexington, Kentucky. Exie was born at her grandparents farmhouse near Nobob, Kentucky, to the late James C. and Lizzie Billingsley of Cyclone, Monroe County, Kentucky. The second of five children, she grew up on the family farm performing the typical chores of a farmer's eldest daughter during the Depression. After graduating as valedictorian of her class at Gamameil High School, near Tompkinsville, she attended Western Teachers' College, now Western Kentucky University, in Bowling Green where she was introduced to future husband Walter by his sister Jenny. Married soon after Walter joined the Army Air Corps at the beginning of World War II, she subsequently worked in war-time industry in Chicago, then returned to the family farm and taught grades 1-8 in a one room schoolhouse, riding a horse to and from class. She also cared for her terminally ill mother, a life altering experience. When Walter returned from the European theater, she moved with him to Elkins, West Virginia, where they started their family. In 1969 they moved back to Kentucky, settling in Frankfort. She and Walter were happily married for 50 years. In addition to her two children, she is survived by three grandchildren, Brett and Lauren Wilkinson of Lexington, Kentucky and Asia Arnold of Greer, South Carolina; great-grandson, Brady; daughter-in-law, Elaine; sister-in-law, Gerry Billingsley of Ft. Myers, Florida; niece, Pam Billingsley of Nashville, Tennessee; and nephews John W. Bizzack of Lexington, Kentucky and Cliff Billingsley of Florence, Alabama. She was a life-long member of Church of Christ. Funeral Information A private visitation will take place at Clark Legacy Center. A graveside service will be 10:00 AM, Wednesday, September 1, 2010, at Lexington Cemetery.