James Wahl Jr.

PETERSBURG - Dr. James "Jim" Frederick Wahl Jr. DDS passed away Saturday (Jan. 6, 2024) with his wife, Judy, by his side.

Jim was born Dec. 13, 1933, in Anna, to James Wahl Sr. and Francis Wahl. The third of three children, he was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Jeanne (Don) West and Norma (Russ) Armstrong.

Jim is survived by his beloved wife of 46 years, Judy, currently of Petersburg; four daughters, Kathy Wahl and Karen (Steve) Ard, both of Champaign, Julie (Gary) Sullivan of Springfield and Jill (Tom) Kress of Plainfield; two sons, Tim Wahl of Portageville, Mo., and Steven (Christine) Triezenberg of Indianapolis; eight grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild.

Jim graduated from the Washington University School of Dentistry in 1958. He was part of the U.S. Army Dental Corps from 1957-1961, attaining the rank of captain.

Jim practiced dentistry in Champaign from 1961-1993. A lifelong Illini fan, Murray, Sampson & Wahl, DDS made many of the mouth pieces for the Illini football and basketball players. After selling his part of the practice, Jim returned to dentistry as a full-time clinical dentist in both Edgar and Champaign counties from 2003-2014.

Jim was a member of the Illinois State Dental Society from 1961 until after his retirement. There, he served as a member of the executive council. Additionally, he served in all of the offices of the Illini Dental Society. He was a clinical instructor at two nearby colleges in their dental-hygiene programs and at the Indiana University School of Dentistry.

Jim and Judy had a passion for sailing. During his first retirement interim, they bought a house in Pentwater, Mich., where they were very involved in the Pentwater Yacht Club. Jim was named commodore for the year of said yacht club in 1998. Eventually seeking warmer climates and embracing their love of Disney, Jim and Judy moved to the Orlando, Fla., area in the late 1990s. He spent four years working at Walt Disney World. "Captain Jim" was one of his favorite jobs, captaining a boat that ferried passengers to and from Disney resorts and what's now known as Disney Springs. During his tenure at Disney, Jim was awarded the Partners in Excellence, an award given to less than 3 percent of Disney cast members.

Known as Poppie to some of the most important people in his life, he loved building sand castles, riding rides at Disney and any and every adventure that awaited with his wife, children and grandchildren. During his kids' early years, he coached baseball teams, was active in Scouts and loved water skiing and family ski trips to Colorado. He and Judy enjoyed snow skiing and traveling well into his late 70s. He helped with Eagle Scout projects and was always there to support those he loved in their many talents. Additionally, he was an animal lover and shared his heart with his many four-legged children over the years.

Words can never sum up this amazing man. He was an expert woodworker, creating the cribs that cradled his grandchildren and gorgeous rocking horses for them to play on. He built birdhouses and loved nature. He picked at guitars and adored classical music. He delighted in his children's and grandchildren's accomplishments. In later years, he became an accomplished potter, sculpting many pots and teapots, providing a creative outlet and a place to practice ongoing movement as he battled Parkinson's disease. He gave so much more than he ever received, and he will be loved and missed for all of our days.

Cremation rites were accorded by Hurley Funeral Home, Petersburg. Visit hurleyfh.com to view Jim's online obituary and share memories and condolences with his family.