With love, hope, and sadness we announce the passing of Jimmy Lee Wilhelm of Payson, Utah. Jim passed unexpectedly on the evening of January 7, 2025.
Jim was born in Sacramento, CA on July 13, 1950, to Wanda and Frank Wilhelm. At just a few days old he was brought home to the tent they lived in at Route 3, box 23, Sacramento, CA. This was home until his father, Frank, could build the family home on Wallace Ave in Sacramento, CA where Jim would grow up with his three siblings Tommy, Diana, and Michael. Jim was an active and curious child. Whether it was falling out of a moving car or finding his way onto the roof of the newly built home at the age of two or climbing the rails and nearly falling off the ferry boat in San Francisco at the age of three, it was clear early on that Jim had an adventurous spirit. Jim spent much of his childhood playing sports, fishing, and exploring the countryside with his brother Tommy, and his cousins Victor and Eddie. He was an exceptional trumpet player and was known as a young man to be a good student and hard worker. Beginning with a paper route at twelve years old, Jim would not stop working until he retired in 2015. During his years at Rio Linda High School he would work as a gas station attendant, a painter and welder at McClellan Air Force Base, a janitor, and he picked tomatoes alongside migrant workers for three summers. He also earned a reputation as a mischievous and somewhat rebellious young man. We were often entertained growing up by stories of the Wilhelm, Sims, and Dougherty boy’s adolescent escapades while Colleen rolled her eyes. Jim graduated from Rio Linda High School on June 6, 1968.
Jim joined the United States Navy in May of 1969. When asked why he joined the Navy he often gave three answers; “I had two cousins in Vietnam and another one with orders to go, I was bored with life and bound to get into trouble if I stayed home, and my draft number was 52, so I knew the army infantry was in my future.” After bootcamp, Jim went to Naval Hospital School and served as a Corpsman at the Balboa Naval Hospital and the Naval Training Center in San Diego before being transferred Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Field Medical Service School in April of 1972 and to the Camp Pendleton 1st Marine Division in October of 1972. He also played trumpet in the Navy Band. Jim received orders to Vietnam twice during his enlistment, however, both orders were subsequently cancelled, and he was honorably discharged on May 26, 1975. Jim graduated with an Associate in Arts degree from American River College in June of 1975, graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in History from California State University, Sacramento (CSUS) in May of 1983, and earned his California Teaching Credential from CSUS in May of 1987. Jim worked as a substitute History Teacher until he joined the California Youth Authority (CYA) on August 2, 1988. Jim worked as a teacher, counselor, curriculum specialist, and administrator for the CYA until he retired officially in March of 2015. Jim considered his work for the CYA more than just an occupation. He believed that God had called him to work with those troubled young men and he had a deep love and compassion for them.
Jim was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. His drive for knowledge and desire to serve was unquenchable throughout his life. Jim’s deep understanding and testimony of the Holy Scriptures, the restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and the Atonement of Jesus Christ and his ability to help others feel the love of the savior was often a comfort and aid to his family, friends, and even an occasional stranger. Jim served in many church callings throughout his life including, Sunday School Teacher, Young Men’s President, Elder’s Quorum President, High Councilman, and Bishop.
Perhaps the calling that had the greatest impact on his life and the lives of those he served was the four years he spent as the Branch President of the Antelope 3rd Young Single Adult Branch. He often spoke of his experiences with these young adults and the love he had and has for them until the end of his life, mentioning many by name.
On June 27, 1970, Jim married Colleen Bunch and the love story and the life and family they created would consume the next 55 years of Jim’s life. It has been said that Jim’s only hobby was Colleen. When he wasn’t working, serving at church, or studying, Jim spent his free time with Colleen and their six children: James, David, Joseph, Michele, Jared, and Samuel. Jim loved the coast and would take the family to Monterey or Fort Bragg California as often as time and money would permit. Jim also believed in “teaching on the mountain.” His children all had backpacks and fishing poles and he spent many summer weekends teaching and counseling his children by lakeside, riverside, or by campfire. The only things that most people recall Jim doing for himself was lifting weights in his home gym and playing church and city league softball. Jim could crush a softball. Jim spent much of the last decade of his life at the bedside of his sweetheart, Colleen, caring for her as she slowly succumbed to illness and passing away on March 2, 2023. His example of love and sacrifice will forever stand as a hallmark for his children and grandchildren. Jim is survived by his siblings Tom, Diana, and Mike, his six children: James, David, Joseph, Michele, Jared, and Samuel, 21 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and many friends and loved ones.
We will forever celebrate Jim’s life. With all of his accomplishments and acts of service in life, perhaps his greatest gift to his family and friends was his understanding of Christ’s love and the absolute power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Not only was he quick to forgive others, but he was quick to remind us of how much our Savior loves us and how much he desires to bless us and how quick he is to forgive us. Jim was a disciple of Christ in this life, and he left this life with an unwavering belief that his family will be reunited again someday in the Kingdom of God.
Jim’s children will lay him to rest with a graveside service on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at the Utah Veteran’s Memorial Park.
A Memorial Service and Celebration of Jim’s life by his family and friends will be held on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at 10:00am. The service will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints building at 8583 Watt Ave, Antelope, CA 95626.
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