Charles Wilkie, age 86, of Cameron, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, October 5, 2026, at Central Carolina Hospital in Sanford.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, October 9, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Cox Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Vass, with Pastor Phillip Haire officiating. A time of visitation will be held one hour prior to the service from 1:00 p.m.- 2:00 p.m. Burial will follow at Yates-Thagard Church Cemetery in Whispering Pines.
Charles was born in Lee County on September 24, 1940, to the late David Aubrey Wilkie and Mary Alice Womble Wilkie. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Thelma Garner Wilkie; twin brother, Carl Wilkie and his wife, Glenda Wilkie; sister, Frances W. Phillips and her husband, Bucky Phillips; son-in-law, Tony Patterson; maternal grandparents, Whitney Gordon Womble and Memma Frances Thomas Womble and paternal grandparents, William Vance Wilkie and Lenora Matthews Wilkie Utley.
He is survived by his daughter, Cheryl Wilkie Patterson, and grandsons, Justin Ryan Patterson and his wife, Megan Lynne Patterson, and Tony Patrick Patterson.
Charles graduated from Greenwood High School and worked at Saco-Lowell for 14 years and then at Magneti Marelli for 24 years. He was a member of Rocky Fork Church. Charles loved antique cars and spent a lot of time going to numerous car shows and watching go-cart racing.
Condolences may be sent to www.coxmemorialfuneralhome.com.
The family has entrusted services to Cox Memorial Funeral Home & Crematory of Vass.
