Glenn Willhelm

Glenn Willhelm was born on September 27, 1928 in Mena,

Arkansas to Fred and Bertha (Miller) Willhelm. He passed peacefully to his rest on November 26, 2025 in San Diego, California surrounded by his family.

Glenn graduated from Arizona Academy (now Thunderbird Adventist Academy) and Pacific Union College. He later earned a master’s in business administration from Andrews University.

A veteran of the United States Army, Glenn honorably served in a MASH unit during the Korean war. Although trained as a surgical technician, he volunteered to run the autoclave to sterilize the surgical instruments. He often worked throughout the night to keep up with the surgeons attending to the wounded. Knowing Glenn was a man of faith, his commanding officer asked him to minister to a young man who was dying. Glenn comforted and prayed with the young man, and later wrote to the man’s family.

Glenn and his wife, Helen (Lund) Willhelm, were among the original faculty members of Rio Lindo Adventist Academy in Healdsburg, California. Glenn served Rio for 22 years as accountant, teacher, bus driver, volunteer firefighter, and locksmith as well as performing any other odd job that needed to be done. He was called to Columbia Union College (now Washington Adventist University) in Takoma Park, Maryland where he served for another 17 years as accountant and later as the business manager for the nontraditional education program.

After retiring to Prescott Valley, Arizona, Glenn used his many talents for his church from serving as treasurer to running the audiovisual board to singing baritone in the choir. He also enjoyed traveling anywhere Helen wanted to go. They took many road trips throughout the United States to attend family events and school reunions. In recent years, Glenn lived in San Diego, California near his daughter’s family where his grandchildren gave him great joy.

Glenn was a loving and devoted husband to Helen, who preceded him in death in 2021. Also preceding him in death were his parents and four siblings: Willliam Harold Willhelm, Frieda Howland, Dale Willhelm, and David Willhelm. He leaves behind to cherish his memory daughters Carol Willhelm and Lisa Cooney, son-in-law Patrick, and grandchildren Sean and Clare.

One of Glenn’s favorite hymns was “In a Little While We’re Going Home.” And he believed God’s promise that “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Rev. 21:4.) We are grateful for the gift of Glenn’s steadfast love and faith in God.