Howard Earl Wilkins

Howard Earl “Bud” Wilkins, age 88, of Decatur, Arkansas, passed away on July 10, 2025, at Circle of Life in Bentonville, Arkansas. Born to Hubert Earl Wilkins and Anna Allean Howard Wilkins, Bud was a resident of Decatur. On May 28, 1964, he married the love of his life, Betty Jane Alexander. Bud dedicated many years of his life working as a plumber and then a farmhand in the cattle industry. A true outdoorsman, he found joy in hunting, fishing, and watching sports, especially baseball. He proudly served his country in the United States Army, where he was recognized for his service with the Good Conduct Medal, and earned commendations as both a sharpshooter and expert rifleman. Bud will be missed by all who knew and loved him. He was preceded in death by his mother, Anna Allean “Did” Howard Wilkins; his father, Hubert Earl Wilkins; his sister, Eva Mae Bradley and brother-in-law, Bill Bradley; his sister, Wanda Truitt; two brothers, Robert “Bob” Wilkins, and Jimmy Wilkins; two nephews, Steven Bradley, and David Bradley. He is survived by his wife, Betty Jane Wilkins of Decatur, Arkansas; his daughter, Becky Smith and husband, Russell of Decatur, Arkansas; his son, Jimmy Wilkins and wife, Christy of Decatur, Arkansas; his grandson, Matthew Smith and wife, Malorie of Prairie Grove, Arkansas; his granddaughter, Ashley Smith Hook and husband, Jeremy of Decatur; three great grandsons, Grady Tripp Smith of Collinsville, Oklahoma, Stockton Keen Smith of Prairie Grove, Arkansas, and Statler Ketch Smith of Prairie Grove, Arkansas; four great granddaughters, Bailey Grace Leonard of Decatur, Arkansas, Taylor Harlow of Sulphur Springs, Arkansas, Bethany Hook of Centerton, Arkansas, and Cherokee Woods of Bentonville, Arkansas; two great-great-granddaughters, Brylee Vann of Centerton, Arkansas, and Lyla Harlow of Sulphur Springs, Arkansas; two brothers, Max Wilkins and wife, Carolyn of Flippin, Arkansas, and Michael Wilkins and wife, Patsy of Decatur, Arkansas; brother-in-law, Neale Truitt of Decatur, Arkansas; sister-in-law, Mary Wilkins of Gravette, Arkansas; several loving nieces nephews and friends. A visitation is scheduled from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, at Wasson Funeral Home in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. Funeral services are scheduled at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 17, 2025, at Wasson Funeral Home with a committal service to follow at Georgia Flat Cemetery in Gravette, Arkansas.

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Howard Earl Wilkins

November 14, 1936 - July 10, 2025