Capt. Larry Wayne Wilkinson died Wednesday, March 24, 2010, at River Region Medical Center. He was 47.

Born in Vicksburg, he was a graduate of Vicksburg High School in the Class of 1981. Capt. Wilkinson began his work with the Delta Queen Steamboat Company at the age of 18 as a deck hand, progressing up the ranks to master captain. He was master captain of the Delta Queen until the paddlewheeler was taken out of commission in 2008. Capt. Wilkinson was president of the International Maritime Security Network at the time of his death and was a member of the Baptist faith.

He is survived by his mother and father, Hugh E. Wilkinson and Frankie N. Wilkinson of Vicksburg; two sisters, Angie Wilkinson of Vicksburg and Christy W. Pecanty and her husband, Ken, of Vicksburg; three nieces, Ashley E. Kelley, Mandi P. Driver and Danielle Pecanty; a nephew, Kristopher Pecanty; and a great-niece, Baylyn Pecanty.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 30, 2010, at Riles Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Matt Buckles, pastor of First Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be at Green Acres Memorial Park. Visitation will be Monday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home.  

Pallbearers will be Ryan Mechtel, David Ivey, Craig Hall, Marvin Williams, Henry Breaux and Dan Rumbaugh.

Honorary pallbearers will be CVI River Region nurses, Robert Summers, Ricky Griffith, Tim Nease, Staff of IMSN, Dr. Paul Pierce IV, Dr. Thomas Sligh, Dr. Murray Whitaker, Dr. Daniel Edney and Dr. Mike Davis.

Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, c/o Christy Pecanty, 321 Silver Creek Drive, Vicksburg, MS 39180.