Leland Darwin Wilkins

Washington, UT Leland Darwin Wilkins, 93, passed away peacefully in his sleep the morning of January 14, 2020. He was born in St. Johns, AZ on March 21, 1927 to Fern Johnson and George Leland Wilkins. Darwin grew up in Phoenix, AZ. He had a keen intellect and quick wit. He graduated from the University of Maryland, and worked for the U.S. Weather Service forecasting for the fruit frost and fire weather depts, in Tehachapi, CA during the spring, and Boise, ID each summer. He earned many awards for his accuracy and dedication. His home base was Riverside, CA. He was sealed to his eternal sweetheart, Beth Allred on Sept. 29, 1948 in the Manti Temple. They shared 65 wonderful years together before Beth's passing in 2013. Darwin had an interesting and adventurous life--loving and serving his Heavenly Father, family, church, and country. He had a firm testimony of his Savior Jesus Christ, and served his church in many capacities, including Bishop, Los Angeles Temple Supervisor, YW camp cook, and served with Beth as a Senior missionary couple. He could figure out any problem, make or fix anything, and his grandkids always had a "Grandpa pile" of toys and things to fix when he came to visit. He enlisted at 17, and served in both the Army Air Corps and the Air Force during WWII and the Korean Conflict. He loved flying and was a pilot and instructor in small aircraft and sailplanes. He passed that love and knowledge on to his 4 children, and was very proud of the fact that he was the sailplane instructor for astronaut Neil Armstrong. He is survived by; his children, Vicki (Hap) Cluff, Clovis, CA, Gwenna (Antonio Edison) Berrocal, Washington, UT, Calvin (Janet) Wilkins, Powder Springs, GA, and Diane (Verl) Ewell, St. George, UT; 20 grandchildren; and whole bunch of great-grandchildren!; and his brothers, Orton (Annette), and Garth (Audrey) Wilkins. He was preceded in death by; his wife, Beth; his sister, Georgia, her husband Dale Harris; and a beloved grandson, Joel Wilkins. We love you Dad! You’re the best dad we ever had! We’ll miss seeing that twinkle in your eye--until we meet again. Services will be held Monday, January 20, 2020, 11:00 am at the Washington Fields 5th Ward Chapel, 1867 South, Washington Fields Rd., Washington, UT 84780. A viewing will be held from 9:30 to 10:30 am at the same location. Interment will be at the Washington City Cemetery with Military honors. The family wishes to give sincere thanks to the loving caregivers at The Meadows Memory Care, Zion's Way Hospice, and to Amy, who served him so patiently the last months of his life. Family and friends are invited to share condolences online at: www.SerenityStG.com. Arrangements and memorial tree planting are under the direction of Serenity Funeral Home of Southern Utah, 435-986-9100.

Leland Darwin Wilkins

March 21, 1927 - January 14, 2020