THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, December 27, 1995 TAG: 9512230162
SECTION: ISLE OF WIGHT CITIZEN PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Close-Up
SOURCE: Jody R. Snider
DATELINE: SMITHFIELD LENGTH: Medium: 73 lines
FOR EACH OF 44 YEARS, Raymond A. Wilkerson has received a Christmas turkey or ham as an employee of Smithfield Packing Co.
That means he has received more turkeys or hams than any other employee because Wilkerson is the senior employee at Smithfield Packing. Nobody out-ranks him in terms of years at the packing plant, not even the chairman of the board, Joseph W. Luter III.
Wilkerson began working in the shipping department in 1951. After two years, he moved into transportation, where he began learning the ropes of truck driving. Today, he has 42 years of experience as a truck driver.
``Back then, they didn't send you to school to learn how to drive a truck,'' he says. ``You went out with an experienced driver, and they taught you what you needed to know.''
Wilkerson hauled to the Washington and Baltimore area for Smithfield in his early years. Today, at 62, he hauls 40,000 pounds of pork trimming to a Norfolk sausage plant three times a day.
One of his job perks is that he doesn't have to unload his truck every day.
``I just back up to the dock and go sit down while someone else unloads it. I used to have to unload it myself. But I think my age and seniority has something to do with it,'' he says with a laugh.
Wilkerson considers himself lucky to have worked at a job that he loves for as long as he has.
``I love trucks, and I love driving. You never have to worry about people cutting you off in traffic because they fear the trucks.
``I never thought I'd be with the company this long. But you know, time just goes on and on.''
Name: Raymond A. Wilkerson
What brought you to Isle of Wight County? Born and raised here.
Birthdate/hometown: Feb. 25, 1933/Isle of Wight
What's your fondest childhood memory? Growing up on a farm.
Marital status and children: Widowed/five children, who are all grown and gone.
Pets: One dog
What was your first job? Smithfield Packing. I'm still there after 44 years.
Occupation: Truck driver
If you had a choice, what other type of work would you be doing today? Working on the railroad as an engineer. I've always wanted to run a train.
What's your favorite hangout? I go to church.
Favorite night out on the town? Out for dinner.
Favorite food/drink: Seafood and iced tea.
Favorite movies/TV show: Any cowboy movie or show.
Book you wish everyone would read: The Bible.
What's your idea of a perfect vacation? A trip to the Bahamas.
I can't resist: Pancakes with syrup.
Few people know that . . . I like to fish and hunt.
Most embarrassing moment: I don't get embarrassed. I take the rough with the good.
If you won the lottery, what would you do? I would help senior citizens.
What is the best advice you've ever been given? ``You can work anywhere if you do your job and don't run your mouth.'' Given to me by a friend.
What do you think is the best thing about yourself? I like to help people. In the summer, I have a vegetable garden, and I like to give my vegetables to friends.
Of what achievements are you most proud? Driving a truck for Smithfield Packing. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by JOHN H. SHEALLY II
by CNB