Stephen D. “Fatback” Wilkinson, 53, of Bardin passed away Friday, February 14, 2025 at HCA Florida North Florida Hospital in Gainesville.

Born in the former Palatka Memorial Hospital in Palatka, Stephen had been a lifelong resident of Bardin and was of the Baptist faith. For most of his working life, he was a skidder operator in the timber industry. In his leisure time, he enjoyed hunting and fishing. He loved his family and was dearly devoted to his friends and brought joy to everyone he spent time with.

He was predeceased by his mother, Genice Wilkinson; maternal grandparents, Ardel and Delia Morse; paternal grandmother and step-grandfather, Lula and Ebert Sweat; and paternal grandfather, Leo Wilkinson.

Survivors include his father, Phillip Wilkinson of Bardin; two daughters, Crystal Wilkinson and Rebecca Wilkinson, both of Palatka; son and daughter-in-law, Stephen D., Jr. and Kattie Wilkinson of Palatka; two brothers and sistesr-in-law, Phillip, Jr. and Madonna Wilkinson, and Darin and Carrie Wilkinson, both of Bardin; two sisters, Melissa Wilkinson and Geneva Wilkinson, both of Bardin, two grandchildren, Serena Crawford and Kai Wilkinson; numerous nieces and nephews; and numerous great nieces and great nephews.

Calling hours will be 5-7 p.m. Thursday, March 6 at Masters Funeral Home in Palatka. Services at the funeral home will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, March 7 with Pastor Glenn Tillis officiating..Interment will follow in Etoniah Cemetery in Bardin.

Memorial gifts in Stephen's memory may be made to Masters Funeral Home, 3015 Crill Ave., Palatka FL 32177

Messages of sympathy may be shared on Stephen’s online tribute page at: themastersfuneralhome.com.

Masters Funeral Home of Palatka is in charge of arrangements.