Ryan Wilkerson 39, of McLean County, Kentucky, passed away Tuesday, January 31, 2023 at U of L Health–Jewish Hospital in Louisville. Micheal Ryan Wilkerson was born June 30, 1983 in Owensboro, Kentucky to Howard Thomas Wilkerson Jr and Vicki Lynn Pierce Wilkerson. Ryan was a 2001 Graduate of McLean County High School, a 2006 Graduate of Kentucky Wesleyan College, and received his Master’s Degree in Education from Murray State University. Ryan was a Reentry Coordinator for the Kentucky Department of Corrections and had a unending passion for helping individuals with disabilities and special needs.
Ryan made his last highly inappropriate and hilarious comment on January 31. Ryan was always the most fun person at every gathering, earning the nicknames “Big Wilk,” “Rhyno,” and “Little Bud” from his family and friends. He was known for his animated and humorous stories, which he loved to repeat often. Ryan did not lead a typical life, despite having a shorter than average lifespan. He learned what he wanted to learn, loved who he wanted to love, and made ornery jokes as often as possible. He was a passionate UK fan who was true blue from the womb to the tomb. Ryan died knowing that The 13th Warrior and Braveheart were the best movies ever made. Ryan was preceded in death by his grandparents, Charlotte and Wayne Arnett.
Survivors include his mother, Vicki Miles (John) of Owensboro; his father, Tom Wilkerson Jr of Henderson; his sister, Lauren Wilkerson Williams (Aaron) of Owensboro; and his grandparents, Tom and Ardoth Wilkerson of Bloomfield.
Funeral services will be held at 3:30 P.M. on Monday at Muster Funeral Homes, Calhoun Chapel with Dr. Richard Sams officiating. Friends may visit with Ryan’s family from 12:30 P.M. until 3:30 P.M. on Monday at Musters in Calhoun.
Ryan’s services will be livestreamed on www.musterfuneralhomes.com at 3:30 P.M. on Monday.
The Ryan Wilkerson family requests that expressions of sympathy take the form of donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105.
Share your memories and photos of Ryan at musterfuneralhomes.com.
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