1922 – 2013

RALEIGH, N.C. — Elmore “Tim” Chaney Wilkins, 91, of Raleigh, N.C., passed away peacefully on Monday, Dec. 30, surrounded by his family. He was predeceased by his mother, Iva Wilkins Cascadden; and his sister, Vernicia Severance.

Tim was born in Portland on Aug. 1, 1922. He spent his early childhood years in Lewiston and joined the U.S. Army on Aug. 1, 1940. After serving in the infantry at Fort Devens, Mass., and the 518th Military Police on Governors Island, he was selected to form President Roosevelt’s personal guard cadre at Hyde Park, N.Y., where he met his wife. It was in Hyde Park where he was nicknamed “Tiny Tim” by his platoon; while he was 5 feet 10 inches tall, he was one of the shortest guards in the regiment.

He later served in the 45th Infantry Division, as well as the 100th, and was a veteran of World War II. He participated in several campaigns, including the liberation of Rome, southern France, Rhineland and central Europe. He was recognized by the U.S. National Memorial Holocaust Museum for his participation in the liberation of Dachau by the U.S. Army on April 29, 1945. He received five Battle Stars, Bronze Invasion Arrowhead, Pre-Pearl Harbor Ribbon, France Freedom Medal, American Defense Service Medal and the European African Middle East Theater Campaign and the Good Conduct Medal.

After the service, Elmore worked for IBM for 25 years in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., before his retirement. In 2002, he moved with his wife to Raleigh, N.C., to be closer to their children. In his spare time, he liked to vacation at his lake house in Copake, N.Y., where he enjoyed fishing, boating and water skiing. He also enjoyed snow skiing, hunting and playing golf. What he loved most was teaching his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren to enjoy these activities with him.

He is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Mary Rosalie Wilkins; children, Barry Wilkins and wife, Linda, of Louisburg, N.C. and Deborah Corcoran and husband, John, also of Louisburg, N.C.; one brother, Blynn Cascadden and wife, Joan, of Culpepper, Va.; 10 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, with the 12th due any day.

Online condolences may be made at www.mitchellatrmp.com.