Walter M. Wilkerson, Sr., was born the third child of six to Walter E. (WVSC ’34), and Margaret B. Wilkerson (WVSC ’35) in Welch, WV on March 1, 1945. His siblings are Lauretha (WVSC ‘60); Danny (Lincoln Univ, ’63); Ronnie (WVU ’72); Belinda (WVSC ’80); and Lloyd (WVSC ’73).
After graduation from Gary District High School in 1963, he enrolled at West Virginia State College while working full-time at FMC and later Union Carbide. He received a B.S. degree in Math in 1974. In 1989, Walter was presented an award for his proposal to Carbide that saved over $100,000 a year in recurring cost reductions.
Walt Wilkerson has spent many years volunteering with children in teaching, coaching, and math tutoring. He has worked with the Local Sub-Area Planning Committee and received the Community Service and Volunteer Award in 1992.
The majority of his volunteer hours have been working for the “W” Club. Walt worked closely with Alumni Affairs Director Fred Bailey, and Athletic Director, Robert Maxwell who were both instrumental in setting up all programs for the “W” Club in 1978, of which he has been the only president. In 1979, Walter served on the Athletic Hall of Fame Committee and the first Hall of Famers were inducted in 1980. Walter was also instrumental in the Athletic Department being able to purchase a 54 seat bus.
Many of Walter’s accomplishments and achievements would not have been possible had it not been for the encouragement from Dr. Andrew Aheart telling him to stay involved; Nellie Walker who kept him on track in school; and Warren Lipscomb, and J. W. Spencer who pushed him and never would let him quit the “W” Club team.
Walter is retired from Union Carbide with 25 years, currently has 20 years with Mallory Realtors Association, and is a member of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church. He is married to Fatiema Strawther Wilson Wilkerson (WVSU ’95). He has two children, Nada (Jim) Gray (WVU ’93), and Maurice, Jr., (Sarah) (WVSU ’99), and two step-children, Dionne and Barbara Wilson (Clayton State Univ. ’07). He also has three grandchildren, Jasmyne, Lydia, and Audrey; and two step-grandchildren, Alexis and Dakota.
