Paul Nicholas Wilkinson

Paul Nicholas Wilkinson, 65, passed away November 23, 2023, while visiting family in Port St.

Joe Beach, Florida. Paul was born October 12 th, 1958, to Peter Dixon Wilkinson and Susan

Eleanor Wilkinson Kallweit in Bromley, Kent, England. At age 10, Paul and his family moved to

Vancouver, BC, Canada where he graduated high school and attended UBC for 2 years.

In 1985, Paul had an opportunity to move to Southern California to restore antique automobiles

under the tutelage of Jonathan Harley. Paul worked on early 1900 classic cars such as Rolls

Royce’s, but his true love of cars was for the 1970s muscle car era and was the proud owner of

his 1970 Pontiac GTO Convertible.

It was Paul’s natural mechanical abilities that brought him to aviation. He attended Northrop

University in Los Angeles, CA. Received his Airframe and Powerplant license, graduated the top

of his class and was immediately hired by Continental Airlines where he spent the next 33 years

maintaining aircraft. Paul’s meticulous attention to detail helped him excel into Quality Control,

Non-Destructive Testing and eventually Program Management. In the Aviation industry, you

meet and work with people worldwide. Paul had friends north, south, east, and west. In 1994, a

layoff in Los Angeles brought our family to Greensboro, NC. We have called this home ever

since. He shared his experience and knowledge with everyone. He became known as “The

Professor” as he was always willing to teach. Whether you were a mechanic in the field, a

student needing help with math or a granddaughter wanting to learn a manual shift. Working

for the airline gave us the opportunity to travel. We experienced many memorable trips, but his

favorite was back to his homeland, England.

Paul loved collecting things, coins, English stamps, and Hot Wheels. He was an avid

photographer. He loved all motor racing, especially Formula One, was always ready for a good

air show and he had a knack recognizing almost any automobile, make, model and year!

Paul was a “son” to Peter Wilkinson and Susan & John Kallweit, a “wife” to Linda Wilkinson for

33 years, a “father” to Charlee Ann Close, Rhonda and Donald Colwell, Nicholas and Jenny

Wilkinson, a beloved “Gwumpy Grandpa” to Ryan, Victoria, Savannah, Isabella, Gorgiana,

David, Sarah, and Jordan, “Cuz” to a few special cousins and an “endearing nephew” to his

aunts and uncles. Paul made all our lives richer in knowledge, patience, and love.

We will celebrate Paul’s life and accomplishments at his home in Greensboro, NC on February

29, 2024. All are welcome to attend.

Arrangements are entrusted to the caring staff of Comforter Funeral Home in Port St. Joe, Florida.