Rowland Sherwood Wilkins, 86, of Clemmons, NC passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 30, 2025.

A native of Clayton, NC, Rowland was the husband of 67 years to Carol Wyrick Wilkins and the son of Rowland Wilkins and Frances Isabelle Wilkins, both deceased. Rowland served in the United States Air Force in Vietnam and around the world and retired as a Senior Master Sergeant after 22 years of service. He then went on to serve as an Air Force R.O.T.C. instructor for North Forsyth High School where he served for 15 years. Rowland enjoyed spending time with his family, traveling, and working outdoors. He was a devoted husband and loved his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren immensely.

Survivors include his wife, Carol; daughters, Tina Ward and husband, Frank, Lisa Wilkins, and Cynthia Grogan and husband, Stuart; grandchildren, Ashley Joyner and husband, Dennis, Brad Hughes and wife, Noelle, KateLyn Miller and husband, Jacob, Brandon Souder, Taylor Bailey and husband, Palmer, Myles Grogan, and Kayla Grogan; great grandchildren, Emma Joyner and Camden Joyner; brother, Danny Wilkins and wife, Emily; and brother-in-law, Jim DiAmico.

In addition to his parents, Rowland was preceded in death by his sisters, Yvonne DiAmico and Annette Gaster.

Funeral services celebrating Rowland’s life will be held at 1:00 PM Thursday, February 6, 2025, at the Pierce-Jefferson Funeral Services Kernersville Chapel. Entombment will follow at the Eastlawn Gardens of Memory Mausoleum, Kernersville, NC. The family will greet friends from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM Thursday prior to the service in the chapel.

The family would like to thank the wonderful staff of Mallard Ridge Assisted Living and Mountain Valley Hospice of Yadkinville for the excellent care and support they provided during his illness.

Friends and family may offer online condolences at www.piercejeffersonfh.com