“I have used Wilkinson’s Body Shop since moving to the area in 1984. I have found them to be fair, honest, and trustworthy. In addition, Tom and his crew do exceptional work!” said Steve Holding, a small business owner and Sylvania resident. That sentiment is echoed by the hundreds of longtime customers who look to Wilkinsons for any auto bodywork demands.
Holding became a customer 10 years after Tom Wilkinson opened his Body Shop at 3655 Centennial Rd., next door to the the home where he grew up. This was also across the street from his grandfather Irvin gas station and the home where his grandfather and grandmother Amelia lived.
Today, Wilkinson and his staff are celebrating the 50 year anniversary of his business.
It is his loyal customer base that owner Tom Wilkinson attributes for his business longevity. He also counts the dedication of his crew of 10 workers, who have all been with him for years, as a major factor to his business success. “I really do thank all of my customers and my longtime manager, Steve Parquet along with everyone else who works here. They are the reason we have been in business for over a half a century,” he said.
“We do it all. No job is too small or too big,” Wilkinson promised. “We work on all makes and models of cars, both domestic and foreign. We work with all majors insurance companies and file claims for our customers who have been involved in an accident,” Wilkinson added. Auto body repair services offered include frame straightening, aluminum welding frame repair, body repair, plastic and fiberglass repair, hail damage repair, painting, and paintless dent repair. There is also a towing service provided.
Wilkinson’s auto painting service includes a warranty and uses name-brand paint supplies. Color and custom matching, buffing, sanding, scratch and scuff removal are some of the services offered.
Wilkinson was just 2 years old when he moved to the house on Centennial Road in the area then known as Silica. His grandparents, Irvin and Amelia Wilkinson lived across the street. His grandfather had owned and ran the Texaco Gas Station across from his family home..
Even after he left to attend Ferris State to learn the auto body repair trade and later serve in the Armed Forces in Vietnam, his plan was always to return. In 1972, he purchased his childhood home from his parents, Melvin and Charlotte. He continued to live there while he built the auto body repair shop.
He even met his wife at the Centennial Road location when she reluctantly brought her damaged car in for repairs. “My dad urged me to take my car there,” Pat Wilkinson said. “And 42 years later I’m glad I did. He is still the nicest person I know. Tom does what he says he is going to do. If there is an issue, he takes care of it immediatly. Plus, he is just an all-around great guy,” she noted.