WA - James E. Wilkinson, age 87, passed away peacefully on Wednesday January 7th. Jim was born in the early summer June 1938 in Bellingham, WA. As a young man he enjoyed sailing and fishing the waters near his home in Blaine, WA. He graduated from Lincoln High School, where his smile, wit, perseverance, and let's admit it, luck, endeared him to Barbara Gerbing his future wife who unconditionally supported, led, advised, and loved him for 63 years.

Jim lived a very full life, was well respected and admired for his willingness to share his lengthy aviation industry experience and long-learned knowledge as the owner of Fliteline Service, a fixed based operator at Paine Field, providing top notch aviation support services to both general and corporate aviation, the military, and various airlines from around the world.

Jim was a devoted father to Pamela, the oldest and boldest, Susan, a beautiful twin who reflects his confidence and joy, and Steven who loves the scent of salt water and the sound of a sail buffeting in the wind.

His life was defined by working hard and tirelessly to provide our family with a comfortable life, being present in the moments that mattered most to our family, and his desire to seek personal growth with quiet strength and unwavering integrity.

A Christian, our father was an immersed church member, worshiper, teacher, elder, greeter and study leader. He believed deeply in hard work, personal responsibility, and treating others with respect. These values guided his life and left a lasting imprint on those who knew him.

Beyond his career, he found joy in life's simple pleasures such as fishing, woodworking, reading, buying ugly cars (e.g. AMC Gremlin), time with his granddaughters, and walking around the side of the house to confirm his 24-foot boat "Hawkeye" mysteriously never went into the water except for once a year.

He is survived by his children, Susan and Steven; his granddaughters, Mikenzi, Madalyn, Nikki, Melissa, Whitney, and Alexandra. He was preceded in death by his parents John and Dorothy Wilkinson; sister Mary Edith Pasley, spouse Barbara Wilkinson; and daughter Pamela Redd.