Ray Wilkinson
Encyclopedia
Ray Wilkinson was a long time agricultural news anchor and reporter for Capitol Broadcasting Company
in Raleigh, North Carolina
.
Wilkinson served in World War II
and briefly did a radio stint in Savannah, GA before moving to North Carolina. Wilkinson first came to North Carolina in 1948, where he worked for several radio stations in Rocky Mount, NC. He then moved to Raleigh in 1963 to work for Capitol Broadcasting, the parent owner of WRAL-TV
. He was responsible for covering farm news and all things agricultural and was well known for his intensive coverage of agricultural markets, not only locally, but around the world. Working in both television and radio at Capitol, he was the General Manager of the Tobacco Radio Network
. Wilkinson was responsible for taking the Tobacco Radio Network from a small local radio broadcast to one that was broadcast from Virginia to Florida. Wilkinson will probably best be known for his Cecil and Leonard jokes that he would tell on air. The jokes were centered around the lives and happenings of Cecil and Leonard, two fictional country friends that supposedly lived in eastern North Carolina. He was known for his dedicated support of the revitalization efforts of historic Halifax, NC. Wilkinson died December 4, 2004 from complications of Parkinson's Disease
at the age of 79.
Capitol Broadcasting Company
Capitol Broadcasting Company is a TV and radio broadcast company based in Raleigh, North Carolina. They also own and operate the minor league baseball team, the Durham Bulls.-TV:*WRAL-TV 5...
in Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh is the capital and the second largest city in the state of North Carolina as well as the seat of Wake County. Raleigh is known as the "City of Oaks" for its many oak trees. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city's 2010 population was 403,892, over an area of , making Raleigh...
.
Wilkinson served in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and briefly did a radio stint in Savannah, GA before moving to North Carolina. Wilkinson first came to North Carolina in 1948, where he worked for several radio stations in Rocky Mount, NC. He then moved to Raleigh in 1963 to work for Capitol Broadcasting, the parent owner of WRAL-TV
WRAL-TV
WRAL-TV, virtual channel 5 , is a television station in Raleigh, North Carolina. WRAL-TV has been the flagship station of Capitol Broadcasting Company since its inception, and is currently the CBS affiliate for the Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill/Fayetteville area, known collectively as the Triangle...
. He was responsible for covering farm news and all things agricultural and was well known for his intensive coverage of agricultural markets, not only locally, but around the world. Working in both television and radio at Capitol, he was the General Manager of the Tobacco Radio Network
Tobacco Radio Network
Tobacco Radio Network was a radio network owned and operated by Capitol Broadcasting Company of Raleigh, North Carolina. Begun in 1942, the network was dedicated to educating and keeping farmers informed of the latest agricultural news, stories, and market standings...
. Wilkinson was responsible for taking the Tobacco Radio Network from a small local radio broadcast to one that was broadcast from Virginia to Florida. Wilkinson will probably best be known for his Cecil and Leonard jokes that he would tell on air. The jokes were centered around the lives and happenings of Cecil and Leonard, two fictional country friends that supposedly lived in eastern North Carolina. He was known for his dedicated support of the revitalization efforts of historic Halifax, NC. Wilkinson died December 4, 2004 from complications of Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson's disease
Parkinson's disease is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system...
at the age of 79.