A00157 - Arthur Carroll Wilkins, Amherst College Class of 1972, McKinley Technical High School (Washington, D. C.) Graduate, Successful Entertainment Career in France

The next name on the Memorial List after John Howard Nesbitt, Amherst College Class of 1972, is Arthur Carroll Wilkins, Amherst College Class of 1972. Little is set forth in the Amherst College directory.  He participated in Outdoor Track although I have no recollection of him during my one year of jumping in 1972.  He also spent a year teaching at South Hadley High School from 2006 to 2007. However, while the College record is rather slim, Artie's life and career was actually quite full and came to transcend the span of his life.  

Below you will find the obituary for Arthur Wilkins, it is interesting because it reflects the impact he had after his years in Europe.  It is also interesting because it shows that during the last decade of his life, Arthur Wilkins returned to the Pioneer Valley and came to call it home. 

Also, below is the In Memory piece written by Arthur's brother, Michael, which better describes Arthur's rather fabulous sojourn in Europe, especially, in France.  Michael's piece led me to the true treasure.  The reference to Sheila B. Devotion led me to the Wikipedia article that is referenced below.  And Michael's piece also led me to the video of Sheila and B. Devotion performing their big hit" "Spacer".  On the video, you can see Arthur dancing as a member of "B. Devotion" (Black Devotion) as they perform "Spacer".  

"Spacer" was a hit in 1979. 45 years later it was played at the Opening Ceremony for the Paris Olympics.  Arthur Wilkins legacy carries on.

Peace,

Everett "Skip" Jenkins

Class of 1975

February 17, 2026

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1949 - 2015

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Arthur Wilkins Obituary

AMHERST - Arthur Carroll Wilkins, 65, of 33 Kellogg Ave., died on Monday afternoon, Feb. 9, 2015 at Baystate Medical Center, Springfield.
Born in Richmond, Virginia, on July 10, 1949, he was the son of Samuel and Shirley (DeShields) Wilkins. He moved to Washington, D.C., at a young age. He graduated from McKinley Technical High School in 1967.
He was an avid reader and exemplary student. Arthur became a proud graduate of Amherst College Class of 1972, with a bachelor of arts degree in theater. After his graduation, he moved to Paris for the next 25 years.
He was an avid lover of the arts. He studied pantomime with Marcel Marceau's family. He danced with Josephine Baker, and was a member of the popular musical group, Sheila B. Devotion. He also enjoyed traveling throughout France and Europe, Asia, and Africa.
Arthur has touched the lives of many with his "joie de vivre." Amherst will miss him.
He leaves behind his many French students, neighbors, and many loved ones, namely his mother Shirley, brother Michael, sisters Kim, Velma, and Stephanie, and cousins Gavin, Riko, Julius, and a host of nieces and nephews. The family has requested a memorial service for April.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Daily Hampshire Gazette on Feb. 28, 2015.

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In Memory

Arthur C. Wilkins ’72 died Feb. 9 at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, Mass. He was born in Richmond, Va., to Samuel A. Wilkins Jr., of White Plains, N.Y., who recently passed away, and Dr. Shirley (Wilkins) DeShields of Amherst.

Arthur attended secondary school in Virginia. He moved with his mother and brother to Washington, D.C., and later Silver Spring, Md. Arthur graduated from McKinley Technical High School in D.C. He graduated from Amherst with a B.A. in theater.

After graduation, Arthur spent 25 years in Paris and developed quite a résumé. He received a fellowship to the Maximilien Decroux School of Mime, where he was taught by the wife of the world-acclaimed Marcel Marceau. Arthur pursued a successful dance career and became a teacher of jazz, tap and ballet. He danced with the world-renowned singer and dancer Josephine Baker. Arthur was also a member of the musical group Sheila B. Devotion. Sheila — a popular French pop singer — and three male dancers made several disco albums and enjoyed international success. Arthur was also featured in an edition of Paris’ Vogue magazine. All the while, he photographed and traveled extensively throughout France and Europe with visits to Asia and Africa.

Arthur's earlier enjoyments were flying, skiing, skating and horseback riding. As time passed, photography, computer graphics, board games, reading and teaching French became his special interest and routine.

Arthur touched the lives of many with his joie de vivre. He leaves behind many loved ones, including his mother, Shirley DeShields; his brother, Michael; his sister, Kim DeShields; and two stepsisters, Velma Anderson and Stephanie Stewart. A memorial service was held in April.

Michael Wilkins

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Sheila and B. Devotion - Wikipedia

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Bing Videos

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