Arville Gray Wilks

HUNTINGDON — Mr. Arville Gray Wilks, 95, of Huntingdon, Tennessee died Sunday, August 10, 2025 at his home leaving behind a legacy of kindness, service, and steadfast love for his family, friends, and community. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, August 16, 2025, at 1:00 P.M. in the Chapel of Dilday Carter Funeral Home with Bro. Cliff Kelly, Bro. Jacob Harris, and Bro. Henry Simpson officiating. A Military Honors Service will follow at Carroll Memorial Gardens.

 The family will receive friends at Dilday Carter Funeral Home on Friday, August 15, 2025 from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM and Saturday from 10:00 AM until 12:45 PM.

Mr. Wilks was born May 15, 1930, in Huntingdon, to the late Homer Dixon Wilks and Gracie Maurine (Brandon) Wilks. He is survived by a daughter, Connie (Jay) Bond of Huntingdon, two grandchildren, Kristen (Cliff) Dillahunty of Huntingdon, and Kyle (Laura) Bond of Greenville, North Carolina; three great-grandchildren, Axel Dillahunty, Hawk Dillahunty, and Wilks Bond. He also leaves a brother-in-law, Buddy (Bobbie) McMillin of Medina, and a sister-in-law, Lonelle McMillin of McKenzie. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 69 years, Martha Jane (McMillin) Wilks, a daughter, Donna Kay Wilks, a sister-in-law, Betty Trull, a brother-in-law, Frank Trull, and a brother-in-law, Barbee McMillin.

 Arville dedicated his life to serving others and showing up for those he loved. He lived life to the fullest and was known for his gardening skills, beautiful garden, and sharing his crops with others. He enjoyed playing softball, coaching Little League, attending football, basketball, baseball, and softball games, singing gospel music, working annually at the Carroll County Fair, and supporting his grand kids and great grand kids. Arville could be found driving all over town, out at the lake, and down backroads (sometimes on his golf cart), checking in on friends and local businesses. He enjoyed playing softball himself and was a skilled pitcher, proudly pitching his last church softball game at the age of 72.

Arville enjoyed his career as a clerk and mail carrier for 34 years at the Huntingdon Post Office. He retired in 1987 to build his family’s home and help care for his grandchildren. After retirement, he held many part time jobs and could be seen mowing and working in his yard daily. He was an active member of First Baptist Church in Huntingdon and a Veteran.

Honoring him as pallbearers will be Kyle Bond, Cliff Dillahunty, Owen McMillin, Carl Nolen, Jerry (Pee Wee) Robinson, and Harrell Allen. Honorary Pallbearers include Paul Boyd, Tommy Townsend, and Kenny Jackson.

 In Lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to: Carroll County Inclusion Park, 957 Tate School Road, Huntingdon, TN 38344 In memory of Arville Wilks.