Obituary of Jimmie G. Antonio

Jimmie G. Antonio, 95, peacefully departed this world on February 16, 2021 at the Commons at Brightmore in Wilmington. He was born in Charlotte, N.C. on March 13, 1925 to George S. Antonio and Ella Mae Snipes Antonio. Jimmie grew up in Charlotte’s Dilworth community.

A member of America’s Greatest Generation, Jimmie entered the U.S. Navy in 1943 at the age of 18 and served during World War II as a Seaman First Class. He served onboard the USS Cockrill (DE-398), a destroyer escort ship. Jimmie was awarded the American Campaign Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. He served honorably until 1946. 

Jimmie returned to the Dilworth community after completing his tour of duty, where he worked for Lance and later StyleCraft Packaging until he retired. Jimmie lived in Charlotte until February 2020, when he relocated to the Kempton at Brightmore in Wilmington to be closer to his granddaughter. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends, visiting Kure Beach, fishing, reuniting with his shipmates from the USS Cockrill, and traveling. Jimmie loved cars, enjoyed a good meal, and was known for telling great stories.

Jimmie is survived by his granddaughter, Lori Williams and husband, Frank, of Leland, N.C., and nephew, Bob Hayes of Columbia, S.C. He was predeceased by his wife of 72 years, Bernice Roberts Antonio, and his daughter, Catherine A. (Cathy) Whitaker.

A burial service will be held at Elmwood Cemetery in Charlotte at 3 p.m. on Saturday, February 20, 2021.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to Honor Flight of the Cape Fear Area, 310 N. Front Street, Box 292, Wilmington, N.C. 28401 or via https://honorflightcfa.org.

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