Vernon "Willie" Kenneth Wilhelm, 71, of Freeport, died Monday, August 18, 2014, at University Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin surrounded by his family.
Born January 10, 1943 in Meyersdale, Pennsylvania he was the son of Kenneth and Leora (Arnold) Wilhelm. He married Elizabeth "Beth" Hein September 2, 1978.
Vernon was an Army veteran of the Cuban Missile Crisis.
He worked at Kelly Springfield Tire Company for 30 years and also worked at Walmart for six years.
Vernon's memberships included St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church in Pearl City and VietNow. He enjoyed wood working, gardening, reading, canning his vegetables, cheering on the Pittsburg Steelers, watching movies (especially Clint Eastwood), and spending time with family.
Surviving are his wife, Beth of Freeport; his mother, Leora of St. Petersburg, Florida; his children, Mandee (Dan) McWorthy of Freeport, Sara (Justin) Schoenhard of Pearl City, Vernon (Sandy) Wilhelm Jr. of Salem, Missouri, Melissa (Frank) Brooks of Salem, Missouri, and Kenny (Kim) Wilhelm of Floresville, Texas; his sisters, Bernice (Bill) Twigg of Frostburg, Maryland, Evelyn Clark of Finzel , Maryland, Alma (Bob) Clark and Margie (George) Briggs both of St. Petersburg, Florida, his brother, Lester Wilhelm of St. Petersburg, Florida; ten grandchildren, Hunter McWorthy (his side kick), Autumn Gray, Xander Gray, Arianna Schoenhard, Brittany Robbins, Jake Brooks, Alanna Mahana, Megan Wilhelm, Lily Warnement, and Wesley Wilhelm; two great grandchildren, Rylee and Emmett Robbins.
He was preceded in death by his father and one brother, Earl.
Cremation rites will be accorded.
Memorial services will be 3 p.m. Saturday, August 23, 2014 at Walker Mortuary.
Visitation will be 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at Walker Mortuary.
Following the funeral service there will be a luncheon served at the St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, 229 South First Street in Pearl City.