Delbert "Del" Alexander Wilkes, Jr., 59, of Newberry, died on Wednesday, June 30, 2021. Born on December 21, 1961 in Columbia, SC, he is a son of Kathleen Moore and Delbert A. Wilkes, Sr. of Newberry. Del attended Irmo High School and was recruited as an offensive lineman to play for the South Carolina Gamecocks from 1980 to 1984. He had an outstanding career on the football field and is one of only four consensus All-American football players in the program's history. After playing football for the Gamecocks, Del went on to become a professional wrestler, wrestling for The American Wrestling Association, Global Wrestling Federation, All Japan Pro Wrestling, World Championship Wrestling and Worldwide Wrestling Federation. He quickly became a fan favorite as "The Trooper" and later as "The Patriot". Among his many accolades, he achieved The Pro Wrestling Illustrated Most Inspirational Wrestler of the Year. After retiring from his decade long wrestling career, Del worked at Dick Smith Nissan in Columbia as a car salesman and attended Gantt Street Baptist Church in Cayce, SC. Of all his accomplishments, Del took the most pride in being a grandfather. He loved his grandchildren, Abigail and Garnet, unconditionally. Along with his parents, Del is survived by two sons, Alex Wilkes of Manchester, NH and Robert Wilkes (Madison) of Irmo, SC; a daughter, Mallie Little (Coy) of Charlotte, NC; mother of his children, Teresa Bray; sister, Deborah Wilkes of Newberry; brother, Patrick Wilkes (Lea) of Newberry; special nieces, Shelby (Van) and Kathleen Land both of Mississippi, Kinnon (Nathan) Jackson of Inman, SC, and Soulie (Steven) and Trotter Long of Inman, SC; and very special friend, Allen Wright Adkins. The family will receive friends on Monday, July 5, 2021 from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Whitaker Funeral Home in Newberry. Funeral Services will be conducted at 11 AM on Tuesday, July 6, 2021, at Gantt Street Baptist Church in Cayce, SC with Reverend Gene Rowell officiating. Burial will follow at 2 PM in Rosemont Cemetery in Newberry. Active pallbearers will be Burt "Breeze" Simmons, Mitch Strange, Ty Rietkovich, Bill Barnhill, Tom Garner, Carl Womble and Jim Walsh. To honor Del, the family has suggested memorials be made to Gantt Street Baptist Church, 2121 Gantt St, Cayce, SC 29033. Memories and messages of comfort may be left for the family on Del's tribute page at www.whitakerfuneralhome.com Whitaker Funeral Home is honored to be assisting the family.