Mr. Wilbur Aikins

Mr. Wilbur Aikins of Tampa, FL passed away on Saturday, October 19, 2024. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, November 9, 2024, 11:00 a.m. at Bible Based Fellowship Church, 4811 Ehrlich Road, Tampa, FL 33624 with Pastor Anthony C. White, Officiating. Interment will follow in Myrtle Hill Memorial Park, 4202 E. Lake Avenue, Tampa, FL 33610.

Wilbur Aikins was born on July 30, 1951, in Newark, New Jersey, to Abraham Aikins and Ethel Perry Aikins. He lived in Piscataway, New Jersey for 25 years before retiring and moving

to Tampa, Florida. He graduated from Central High School in Newark, New Jersey. After graduating from Central High School, he attended Newark State College (now Kean University), With a degree in Health/Physical Education. Later he received his master’s degree from the University of Maryland. Wilbur played basketball for four years at Newark State College (now Kean University). He was a captain in both his junior and senior years. He was a first-team All-Conference athlete and was a member of the school's 1,000-point club. In 1982 he was inducted into the Hall of Fame at Kean University for his outstanding performance in sports. Wilbur loved all sports. After he retired, he would watch and talk about sports daily. You knew where to find him on Saturdays and Sunday afternoons, watching football or basketball.

Wilbur's first teaching job was at Clifford Scott High School in East Orange, NJ as a Physical Education teacher and basketball coach. At Clifford Scott, as coach, he took the team to win the State championship. He later was a Physical Education teacher at Linden High School and a basketball coach. While coaching at Linden High School he won the UCT (Union County Tournament) several times, and many other championships. He was the coach in Linden for over twenty years. Wilbur then became Athletic Director (AD) with the Plainfield School District in Plainfield, NJ. He loved sports and working with students. Being an AD allowed him to stay deeply involved with sports, influence the athletic program at a high level, and be able to mentor young athletes.

He later moved on to Piscataway, NJ with the same hopes as AD to inspire and work with students in Piscataway to become better athletes. At Piscataway, he was able to implement new programs. In 2002 he left Piscataway to work for the Newark Board of Education as the Director of Athletics and later retired from Newark in 2010. Wilbur was a Christian and loved the lord. He was a member and Usher of Bible Based Fellowship Church in Tampa, Florida. He loved to fellowship with his church brothers on the Usher board.

Wilbur was preceded in death by: his parents; brother, Abraham John Aikins “AJ” (Liz); and sister, Deborah Balogh (Dave).

Wilbur leaves to cherish his memory: his loving wife of 42 years, Joann Keller Aikins; sister, Patricia Aikins of Virginia, Alfred Aikins (LaVerne) of Virginia, Donald Aikins (Eddie) of Seffner, Florida, and Tyrone Aikins (Teresa); special loving niece and nephew, Xavier and Shayla Brown; and a host of other family members and friends.

A Visitation will be held on Saturday, November 9, 2024, from 9:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at Bible Based Fellowship Church, 4811 Ehrlich Road, Tampa, FL 33624.

Arrangements entrusted to Ray Williams Funeral Home, Rhodes & Northern, Owners.

www.raywilliamsfuneralhome.com 

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