Louis Wilhelm

Louis Joseph Wilhelm

“Lou”

Louis Joseph Wilhelm, our father and grandfather, passed away peacefully on January 31, 2018 in Payson, Utah.  Lou was born September 24, 1933 in Charleston, Franklin, Arkansas, oldest son of Boniface Louis Wilhelm and Frederica Marie Mahl both of Arkansas.  Lou grew up on his family’s farm where he enjoyed hunting, fishing and horseback riding.

Upon high school graduation, Lou enlisted in the United States Air Force.  While stationed at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, Lou met and married Shirley Moss September 9, 1954 in Paris, Bear Lake, Idaho.  Together they had two sons. Lou and Shirley were later divorced.

Lou served two tours in Vietnam where he received the Air Medal and Distinguished Flying Cross.  He retired from the Air Force after 20 years of valiant service.

After his retirement, Lou made his home in Abilene, Texas.  Because of Lou’s passion for aviation he loved piloting corporate and charter clients.  He was also an excellent flight instructor.  Lou also enjoyed buying, renovating and selling homes.

Second only to flying, his love of driving the open road took him on many adventures.  Lou also loved boating and was an excellent water skier.  He loved capturing his life, his family and the places he traveled to in photographs and home movies, but his favorite place on earth was Abilene.

In his later years, Lou’s favorite activity was meeting his buddy’s for breakfast where they would share stories, discuss local and national politics, “solving” the world’s problems.  In 2016, Lou moved from his beloved Abilene to Utah so he could be closer to his sons.

Lou is survived by his sons: Donald (Susan) Wilhelm and Larry (Joy Oram) Wilhelm both of Layton, his sister: Carol of Branch, Arkansas, five grandchildren: Julie (Zach) Olsen, Cindy (Jeff) Irvine, Paul (Tiffany) Wilhelm, Sarah Wilhelm, Nickolas Wilhelm and 10 great-grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers Lowell F. Wilhelm and Lawrence E. Wilhelm.

The family wishes to thank the patient, generous and kind staff at Bennion Veteran’s Home in Payson and Bristol Hospice for their compassionate care of our dad.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, February 8, 2018 at 10 a.m. at Saint Rose of Lima Catholic Church, 210 South Chapel Street, Layton, Utah.  Friends may visit family Wednesday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Road.  A Vigil with Rosary will be held at 7:30 p.m.  Interment, Utah Veteran’s Memorial Park, Bluffdale, Utah.