William C. "Bill" Wilhelm

AMHERST - William C. "Bill" Wilhelm, 83 years of age, and a resident of Amherst, passed away Thursday, February 2, 2012 at Mercy Regional Medical Center in Lorain.
Bill was a lifetime resident of Amherst were he was born March 16, 1928 and graduated from Amherst High School. He proudly served in the United States Navy from 1946 to 1952 as an electronics technician. Bill was employed as a glazier at Lorain Glass Company for thirty years before retiring in 1992. In 1993, he was made a lifetime member of the Glass and Glazing Union #181. Bill was voted "Craftsman of the Year" by the Society of Architects and Engineers for the work on the Euclid Mall. He was a member of the Old Stone United Methodist Church where he sang in the choir. Bill was a member of the Amherst Community Chorus and a member of the Senior Citizens of Amherst. He was an active member of the Amherst Veteran Military Honor Guard. Bill was a member of the American Legion Post #118 and the Veterans Of Foreign War Post #1662 both of Amherst. He was one of the founding members of the Amherst Athletic Association. While serving as the president, in 1952 they started the first girl's softball program where he also umpired hundreds of games. Bill continued to volunteer for the high school sports programs where he served as the timer and scout for football and was an official for the track meets. Long after retiring from other sport commitments he continued serving as recently as last year as an official for the annual Comet Relays. In his spare time, Bill had been a long time member of the Amherst City Golf league where he served as a past President and Secretary. During his time with the league, he was twice on the championship team.
Survivors include his loving wife of sixty-three years Louise A. Wilhelm (nee: Adler); sons and their wives Timothy and Susan Wilhelm of Stelle, IL, Thomas and Mary Beth Wilhelm of Lolo, MT; daughters and their husbands Leah and Kurt Smith of Kingston, WA, Jennifer and Newton Morgan of Poulsbo, WA; son-in-law Joe Burns of Amherst; thirteen grandchildren; four great grandchildren; sister Kathleen (Frank) Nesbit of South Amherst.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Patti Burns; brothers John "Jack", James and Jerald Wilhelm; sister Patricia Young; and his parents John R. and Lillian Wilhelm (nee: Mitchell).
A memorial service will be held Saturday, February 11, at 11:00 a.m. at Old Stone United Methodist Church; 553 South Main Street, Amherst. The Rev. Daniel Reinke, pastor, will officiate. Military Honors will be performed by the Amherst Veterans Military Honor Guard. Burial will be held privately by the family in Birmingham Cemetery.
The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to Old Stone United Methodist Church; 553 South Main Street, Amherst, OH 44001 or the Amherst Public Library; 221 Spring Street, Amherst, OH 44001.
Additional information and online register book are available at www.hempelfuneralhome.com.