Leonard “Lenny” Wilkinson bit the big one and went to the Happy Hunting Grounds on August 23, 2024. He was born in Elbowoods, ND on October 7, 1943 to Ernest and Mollie Wilkinson. He was a member of the MHA Nation (Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara). He worked on the family farm, hunted with his horse Sparky, and attended Haskell trade school until he joined the Navy in 1965, where he was a Seabee, Battalion 8 for the US Pacific Fleet and served in Vietnam. While stationed in Wisconsin, he would meet his wife of 47 years, Margaret Wilkinson at the local USO (United Service Organization). He received his bachelor’s degree from Spencerian College (Spen U) and moved to the Tri-Cities in 1973 when he got a job at the Hanford Site. During this time, he coached youth baseball (always making sure that both boys and girls on his team had equal playing time), youth soccer, refereed for the Tri-Cities Soccer Association, and took auto mechanic courses at Columbia Basin College (CBC).

Lenny loved driving and traveling cross country with his family, helping his grandson, Aidan, with math, playing golf, and chess. One of his favorite activities was spending time and having discussions with Aidan. They would discuss everything from history, politics, religion, to guns, movies, and science. Lenny was known for his quick wit, sense of humor, sage advice, and compassion for people when they needed it.

He is survived by his son, Scott, daughter Sheryl Roberts, grandson and Partner in Crime Aidan, brothers Charlie, Virgil, and Spencer, and sister, Elva Rose.

He is proceeded in death by his beloved wife Margaret (whom only he could call Maggie), daughter Karen Sue, his Grandma Lillie, his parents, and brothers and sister.