Bill Wilkerson
Bill Wilkerson | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 1, 1945 St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. |
| Died | November 2, 2017 (aged 72) Florissant, Missouri, U.S. |
| Education | B.A. (Journalism) |
| Alma mater | SIU |
| Occupation | Radio personality |
| Years active | 1969–2006 |
| Spouse |
Margie
(m. 1977; died 2017) |
| Children | 3 |
Bill Wilkerson (1945 – November 2, 2017) was an American broadcaster and radio, as well as a cultural icon who remains best known for sports broadcasting, and as a host on KMOX (1969-1996), and KTRS (1996-2006).
Early life
Wilkerson was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. He majored in journalism and received his B.A. at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois, where he played football.[1]
Radio career
In 1969, he got his first job on KMOX in St. Louis. He partnered with Bob Costas for the first year of St. Louis Spirits (ABA), 1975-76. His coverage of St. Louis Cardinals ("Big Red") teams lasted from 1973 until it left for Phoenix after the 1987 season. He became the first black to be the main play-by-play man for an NFL team, and the first color announcer when he teamed up with Dan Kelly to do St. Louis Blues (NHL) games. He also broadcast Missouri Tigers from 1976 until 1993. While handling football games, he also co-hosted KMOX's "Total Information AM" (The Morning Show) with Bob Hardy and Wendy Wiese for many years. He and Wiese changed stations in St. Louis for rival KTRS in 1996. He retired from there in 2006.[1]
Personal life
He started MPS Worldwide, a bulk chemical company after he retired from KTRS. He was a longtime board member of Mathews-Dickey Boys’ & Girls’ Club in St. Louis, and served on the boards of the American Red Cross, St. Louis Children’s Hospital, and the St. Louis Zoological Society.[1] He is a member of the Mizzou Media Hall of Fame.[2]
Death
Wilkerson died on November 2, 2017, at his home in Florissant, Missouri after a brief illness. He is survived by his wife, Margie Wilkerson; two daughters, Kimberli Wilkerson and Kristen Wilkerson; one son, Jermaine Wilkerson; and 12 grandchildren.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d Joe Holleman (November 4, 2017). "Bill Wilkerson, longtime radio news/sports announcer, dies at 72". St. Louis Post-Dispatchl. Retrieved November 11, 2017.
- ^ "Former MU football voice Wilkerson dies". Columbia Missourian. November 3, 2017.
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