Benjamin Franklin Wilkerson Jr, 77, of Sharptown, Maryland (formerly of Charlotte Hall), passed away on July 23, 2010 in Salisbury, Maryland.

Born March 12, 1933 in Aquasco, Maryland, he was the son of the late Benjamin Franklin and Agnes Beatrice Shorter Wilkerson.

Ben is survived by his beloved wife Nina J. Williams Wilkerson, children Mary A. Wilkerson of Masaryktown, FL., John S. Wilkerson of La Plata, MD and Michele M. Wilkerson of King George, VA. grandson's Benjamin R., David A., Steven B., and Matthew D. Wilkerson, great grandsons Nathan B., Brayden C., and Slade T. Wilkerson, brother James R. Wilkerson, sisters; Virginia Lee Lange of Brandywine, MD, Pauline Hyde of Charlotte Hall, MD, Betty Ann Walker of Waldorf, MD, Barbara Thornton of Port Tobacco, MD, Cecilia Whitaker of Belton, TX, Dorothy Peters of Hayspring, NE and Ruth Ann Sipe of Virginia Beach, VA.

He is preceded in death by a sister Irene Bond.

Ben graduated from Gwynn Park High School in Brandywine Maryland in 1951. After serving in the U.S. Army in Greenland, he was employed at various large scale painting companies, soon to establish his own commercial painting/decorating corporation. He moved on from this venture in 1995 and after briefly retiring, was employed for 9 years as an estimator for Weaver's Custom Painting in White Plains Maryland. In 2004 he briefly moved to Florida only to return to Maryland, residing at the time of his death in Sharptown.

"Pop" was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. Pop worked tirelessly throughout his life and he enjoyed crabbing, fishing, gardening, and traveling. Above all else, Pop loved spending time with his family and friends.

Family and friends are invited to Ben's Life Celebration at the Brinsfield-Echols Funeral Home, 30195 Three Notch Road, Charlotte Hall, MD on Tuesday, July 27, 2010 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. with prayers offered at 7:00 p.m. Funeral service will be held on Wednesday, July 28, 2010 at 12 noon in Trinity Episcopal Church, 9560 Trinity Church Road, Newport, Maryland 20637 with Rona Harding officiating.

In lieu of flower donations and contributions can be made to Trinity Episcopal Church. P.O. Box 178, Hughesville, Maryland 20637.

Arrangements provided by Brinsfield-Echols Funeral Home.