Bill Wilkerson was an artist, writer, and engineer on the Milwaukee Road. Based in Miles City, Bill was a very frequent visitor to Harlowton. After his retirement, Bill collaborated with Jerry Miller, publisher of The Times Clarion, to publish fourteen books, numerous articles for the newspaper, and to publish drawings and artwork featuring the Milwaukee Road.

Bill was born in Roundup in 1920. He attended school in Harlowton and graduated from Harlowton High School in 1939. Bill worked on the Milwaukee from 1939 until he entered the Army in 1942. After his service in World War II, Bill returned home and worked on the Milwaukee until he retired in 1982.

Bill and his wife Dorothy had three sons and one daughter and made their home in Miles City their entire married life. In addition to his railroad writing and artwork, Bill pursued a passion for restoring old Ford cars. He drew the masthead artwork for The Times Clarion for twenty years and received numerous awards for both his art and his writing.

Bill is probably best known for his series of books about the locomotives and other aspects of the Milwaukee and Montana Railroads. He passed away in Miles City on February 15, 2002, at age 81. Bill's books and artwork remain in high demand today and are available through the museum's online shop.

Books

Artwork

Bill's artwork is available through the museum store. See photo S-32 — a bi-polar drawing by Wilkerson.

Engineering Drawings

Engineering drawings are available through the museum store. See photo S-70.