Arlis "Richard" Wilkerson, 21, of 309 N. Mill St., was killed at about 8 o'clock last evening September 22, 1968, when the car he was driving went out of control on a curve on a rural road southeast of Olney.

He was a veteran of the Vietnam war, having been discharged on April 18, 1968 as a Sgt. E5 in the U.S. Army Infantry. He was wounded twice in action against the enemy and was twice awarded the Purple Heart Medal. He had also been awarded a Special Commendation from the President of the U.S., the Air Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Service Star, Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device 60 and Combat Infantryman's Badge.

Since his discharge from the service, he had been employed at Bower Mills in Olney.

The accident occurred about six miles southeast of Olney at  a curve on the Olney-Claremont township line.  Mr. Wilkerson lost control of the car, a 1964 Chevrolet hardtop, while rounding the curve, with the vehicle leaving the road, hitting an embankment and overturning.

Nearby residents heard the crash and notified authorities and summoned an ambulance.  He was apparently killed instantly.  Sheriff Bill Shipley, Deputy Harry Boatman and Coroner Bob Schaub said that an inquest will be held at a later date.

Mr. Wilkerson is survived by his mother, Gladys Wilkerson of Olney; his father, Bryant Wilkerson of Princeton, Ind.; foster-father, Maurice Findley of Olney; two sisters, Mrs. Charlotte Leister of Olney and Mrs. Sharon Stephenson of Evansville, Ind.; four nephews and grandmother, Mrs. Edith Frederick of Princeton, Ind.

Services at Summers-Rainey Funeral Home with Rev. John Hunt officiating. Interment in Crest Haven Memorial Park cemetery. Military graveside rites conducted by Olney veterans organizations.

Published in Olney Daily Mail (IL)