WILKIN BACON, affectionately known as "Big Chief" to thousands in many parts of the nation, died at his home in Talihina, Oklahoma, Friday, October 9, 1981, after an extended illness. He died very peacefully and serenely in his sleep.
Brother Bacon was born in Talihina, Oklahoma, April 27, 1908. He was baptized into Christ by Burton Coffman in 1937. He is survived by his faithful wife, Mary, a daughter, Mrs. Linda Campbell, and a grandson, Jeff Campbell. Brother and sister Bacon celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary May 23 of this year.
Wilkin Bacon was a very capable song director and teacher of singing and a dedicated preacher of the gospel.
Brother Bacon's first full-time work with the church was with the Sunset Church of Christ in Dallas in 1942. Other churches he served included Hampton Place Church, Dallas; Corsicana, Texas; Abraham Street Church, Arlington, Texas; Northside Church, Duncan, Oklahoma; Park Row Church, Arlington, Texas; and the church in Talihina, Oklahoma.
Brother Bacon's funeral was conducted October 12, in the auditorium of the church in Talihina, Oklahoma, where he served as the faithful minister of the gospel until his retirement. Cecil Lanning, local minister of the church, assisted by Haskell England and V.E. Howard, conducted the services.
Some of the recorded songs by the Gospel Quartet, of which "Chief" was a part as the leader, were sung. And he sang one of his favorites, recorded while singing with the Arlington Chorus, "I Won't Have to Cross Jordan Alone."
The congregation sang brother Bacon's song "Can He Depend on You?" And, very fittingly, "When All of God's Singers Get Home."
Wilkin Bacon was a singer with a beautiful voice from the days of his youth. He became affectionately known as "Big Chief" (he was Choctaw Indian) when he became a member of the famous Stamps Quartet, heard by hundreds of thousands on radio.
More than 40 years ago he resigned from the Stamps Quartet to devote his life in the Lord's church to singing the gospel and preaching the gospel. "Chief" Bacon was not only a great singer and song director, he was a very effective teacher - teaching in schools the rudiments of music and teaching people how to sing praises to God.
"Chief" was not only an accomplished and effective singer, but he had a wonderful ability to teach others to sing, perhaps because he loved so much to sing. He taught many "singing schools" and conducted many singer training series in the brotherhood.
Brother Bacon loved to preach the gospel of Christ. The last active ten years of his life were spent as minister of the church of Christ in Talihina, Oklahoma, his native home.
In 1946 the Bacon Male Quartet was formed, consisting of Paul Epps, Tex Stevens, Ray Wood (deceased) and Wilkin Bacon. They sang frequently for the glory of the Lord. Many of the songs they sang were recorded. He also sang in quartets with L.O. Sanderson and Leon Sanderson. The last few years brother Bacon sang with his local Talihina quartet, including Dr. and Mrs. Robert Hampton and Mrs. Mary Hand.
Tribute written by V. E. Howard.

WILKIN BACON, affectionately known as "Big Chief" to thousands in many parts of the nation, died at his home in Talihina, Oklahoma, Friday, October 9, 1981, after an extended illness. He died very peacefully and serenely in his sleep.
Brother Bacon was born in Talihina, Oklahoma, April 27, 1908. He was baptized into Christ by Burton Coffman in 1937. He is survived by his faithful wife, Mary, a daughter, Mrs. Linda Campbell, and a grandson, Jeff Campbell. Brother and sister Bacon celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary May 23 of this year.
Wilkin Bacon was a very capable song director and teacher of singing and a dedicated preacher of the gospel.
Brother Bacon's first full-time work with the church was with the Sunset Church of Christ in Dallas in 1942. Other churches he served included Hampton Place Church, Dallas; Corsicana, Texas; Abraham Street Church, Arlington, Texas; Northside Church, Duncan, Oklahoma; Park Row Church, Arlington, Texas; and the church in Talihina, Oklahoma.
Brother Bacon's funeral was conducted October 12, in the auditorium of the church in Talihina, Oklahoma, where he served as the faithful minister of the gospel until his retirement. Cecil Lanning, local minister of the church, assisted by Haskell England and V.E. Howard, conducted the services.
Some of the recorded songs by the Gospel Quartet, of which "Chief" was a part as the leader, were sung. And he sang one of his favorites, recorded while singing with the Arlington Chorus, "I Won't Have to Cross Jordan Alone."
The congregation sang brother Bacon's song "Can He Depend on You?" And, very fittingly, "When All of God's Singers Get Home."
Wilkin Bacon was a singer with a beautiful voice from the days of his youth. He became affectionately known as "Big Chief" (he was Choctaw Indian) when he became a member of the famous Stamps Quartet, heard by hundreds of thousands on radio.
More than 40 years ago he resigned from the Stamps Quartet to devote his life in the Lord's church to singing the gospel and preaching the gospel. "Chief" Bacon was not only a great singer and song director, he was a very effective teacher - teaching in schools the rudiments of music and teaching people how to sing praises to God.
"Chief" was not only an accomplished and effective singer, but he had a wonderful ability to teach others to sing, perhaps because he loved so much to sing. He taught many "singing schools" and conducted many singer training series in the brotherhood.
Brother Bacon loved to preach the gospel of Christ. The last active ten years of his life were spent as minister of the church of Christ in Talihina, Oklahoma, his native home.
In 1946 the Bacon Male Quartet was formed, consisting of Paul Epps, Tex Stevens, Ray Wood (deceased) and Wilkin Bacon. They sang frequently for the glory of the Lord. Many of the songs they sang were recorded. He also sang in quartets with L.O. Sanderson and Leon Sanderson. The last few years brother Bacon sang with his local Talihina quartet, including Dr. and Mrs. Robert Hampton and Mrs. Mary Hand.
Tribute written by V. E. Howard.