RUSSELLVILLE — Henry Banks Wilkinson,

age 87, died peacefully in St. Mary’s Hospital, Russellville, on Sunday, December. 10.

The son of Banks Wilkinson and Noma Moore Wilkinson, he was born on Dec. 29, 1935, in Palestine, Ark.

He attended schools in Eastern Arkansas, later received a degrees in History and Law at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.

Henry practiced Law in Forrest City. He then went on to serve as a respected Circuit Judge in Eastern Arkansas. For many years he served on the Supreme Court Committee of Civil Practice. He was a member of the Quorum Court of St. Francis County. As a member of the Board for the Arkansas School for the Blind, he made a difference to visually impaired children in Arkansas. Henry was proud of his service to his country as an Air Force pilot for six and a half years followed by time in the Arkansas Air National Guard. That love of country carried over to his learning the Constitution in depth. He wore many hats. Family and friends know him for his love of his family, his antique tractor, his basal wood planes, deer hunting, gardening, crossword puzzles, and Inveterate reading.

Henry was pre-deceased by his parents, two children: an infant daughter Virginia Ann Wilkinson and Air Force Capt. Banks Edward Wilkinson, granddaughter Grace Catherine Kellner, brothers Patrick Wilkinson and Thomas Wilkinson. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Mary Lou Wilkinson as well as children Noma Wilkinson Kellner (Chris), David Henry Wilkinson (Dawn), Sarah Wilkinson Allen (Joey), grandchildren: Annalise Kellner, Destiny Kellner, Drew Allen, Tori Allen and Cam Fagan (Emma) and a Brother-in-law, Gordon England.

There will be a visitation for Henry from 4-5 p.m. on Thursday, December 14, at All Saints Episcopal Church in Russellville, Ark. The visitation will be followed by a short church service at All Saints beginning at 5 p.m. The church service will be followed by a short reception. A private committal service was held at the new Chapel of Light at the J. Herman Humphrey Dignity Cremation Center by Humphrey Funeral Service.

Memorial donations can be made to the Grace Kellner Memorial Scholarship, UCA; MARVA, 1205 S. Arkansas St., Russellville; or St. John’s Catholic School, 1912 W. Main St., Russellville.