Wilbur L. Jenkins of Manchester, New Hampshire, died at home April 14, 2010, at age 83.
Will was born August 19, 1926 in Cincinnati, Ohio, the youngest of four sons of Roy and Margaret (Leary) Jenkins. He and his wife Mary Louise (Najam) Jenkins were married for 44 years. In addition to his wife, Will is survived by two daughters, Theresa Chamberlain and husband Kenneth, of Simi Valley, California, and Jennifer Jenkins of Washington, D.C.; a granddaughter, Yvette Syed and husband Don; brother Kendall Jenkins of Huntington Beach, CA; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He is predeceased by his two brothers, Roy and Emerson Jenkins.
Will served in World War II as a Petty Officer, Third Class and as a Navy Radio Operator from 1942 until his honorable discharge in 1946. He received six Citations, Commendations and Medals for his combat service in the Pacific Theatre on the USS Yorktown, the USS Enterprise and the USS Marcus Island. After the war, he went on to earn his bachelor’s degree from the University of Kentucky on the G.I. Bill and was a proud "Kentucky Wildcat" for the remainder of his life.
In a career spanning several decades, Will is remembered for his many contributions to the Manchester community. In 1968 he was appointed as the first personnel director for the City of Manchester, a position he held until his retirement in 1990. For many years he was chief negotiator for the city. For 35 years he served as a member and in leadership capacities, including director emeritus, for the Credit Committee—now the Supervisory Committee— for the Members First Credit Union in Manchester.
During his life, Will was a loving and supportive husband and father and treasured the good times spent with his family and many friends. He enjoyed traveling the world, exploring new restaurants, and writing about his experiences, making "Will and Mary’s Adventures" a highlight to everyone who read them. He was a member of the Eastern Conference Chain Crew for Division I Collegiate Football Games and loved watching the games from the sidelines. Will was an avid tennis player, and also loved sailing and spending cold New Hampshire winters in Florida.
His kindness and wit will be missed by all who knew him.
A private celebration of life will be scheduled at a later date for Will’s family and close friends. The family wishes to thank everyone for their expressions of sadness and love.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wilbur Jenkins Memorial Scholarship, c/o Shauna Gouette, Members First Credit Union, 44 Bridge Street, Manchester, NH 03101.