Willie "Bill" Wilhelm

Willie “Bill” Wilhelm of String Prairie, Texas, passed away on Monday, March 3, 2014 at the age of age 101 years and 6 months. Having lived a full life, he peacefully went to be with his heavenly family and friends. Bill, a Bastrop County native, was born September 3, 1912 to Frank and Catherine Wilhelm. Being the last descendant of 10 children, Bill was passionate about his family and often spoke of the mischief and good times celebrated with his brothers and sisters.

When Bill was 8 years old, his family moved from the Watterson Community to String Prairie and just 8 short years later it was there where he met the love of his life, Valera Rabel. Valera was only 12 years old at the time she and Bill met, but in spite of her youth, Bill persistently pursued the girl with “the most beautiful black hair”. Valera agreed to marry Bill after her 20th birthday, and as promised, a short 8 years later on October 28, 1936, one day after Valera’s 20th birthday, the childhood sweethearts were married and lived to celebrate 76 wonderful years together. Bill was a lifelong rancher and took up golf when he retired at the age of 68 playing way into his 90’s.

Bill was also active in the String Prairie Church Community where he sponsored the St. Mary’s Catholic Youth Organization and sang in the church choir until he could no longer climb the stairs into the choir loft. He had a real love for music and told Kathy and Connie Seidel that if they would take organ lessons he would pay for the lessons and buy an organ for the church. Forty years later, that same organ and choir will sweetly sing Bill home.

Bill was preceded in death by his wife Valera who died in August 2013. He is survived by seven nieces, numerous great nieces and nephews and a host of friends. A special thank you is expressed to all of those at Bastrop Lost Pines Nursing and Rehabilitation Center who cared for and loved “PaPa”.

A rosary service will be held on Wednesday, March 5, 7:00 PM, St. Mary’s Catholic Church in String Prairie, TX. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, March 6, 10:30 AM also at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Pallbearers are Gary Klaus, Donald Klaus, Doyle Klaus, Gene Ott, Leroy Herauf, and Mickey Dailey.