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Willmar (Bill) Wilhelm, age 83, passed away on April 28, 2011. Bill was born and raised in Brownton, Minn.

Bill enjoyed all sports which included basketball, baseball, football, bowling, golf, fishing and hunting. He was especially active in basketball, baseball and golf. He played in the Minnesota State Basketball tournament in 1944, in the army during the Korean War, and at Mankato State University. He played baseball in high school, the Western Minny League, and Mankato State University. He was a left hander and was known for this basketball hook shot and, as a pitcher in baseball, for his wicked curve ball.

Bill taught school and coached for five years at East Chain Consolidated School outside of Fairmont. He left teaching in 1961 to operate two Standard Oil Stations in Richfield, Minn. He was located about a mile from the old Met Stadium and Mall of America and had a few of the Vikings and Twins as customer.

In 1985 Bill and his wife retired and moved to Woman Lake where they spent the next 22 years living between Fountain Hills, Arizona, and the lake. Bill was able to play golf all year long during his retirement. He belonged to Tianna and had many friends there and in Arizona.

Bill was very proud of his daughter's musical accomplishments as a harpist, pianist, and vocalist. He looked forward to the grandchildren's visits in the summer. His grandson frequently went with him to Tianna, learning the game of golf and driving the cart.

He was a jokester and story teller. Many will remember Bill's numerous one-liners. He enjoyed all kinds of card games and was able to play Cribbage almost to the end of his life.

A fall in September of 2009 required three months of therapy in Golden Living Center. For the next 14 months he lived in the Memory Cottages at May Creek. The family appreciates all the personal care and compassion he received from these groups.

He was a member of the Hackensack American Legion and received an award in 2010 for fifty years of continuous membership in the American Legion. Bill was also a member of the Hopkins Elks.

Bill is survived by wife of 56 years, Marilyn; daughter Valeria Linn and her husband Daniel of Newark, Del.; grandchildren, John and Leslie; great-granddaughter, Lila; sisters, Marlyn Krueger, Betty Katzenmeyer, and Leone Kujas. Preceded in death by parents, Martin and Blanche Wilhelm; brother, Jerome and sister, Mavis Genz.

Private services will be held at a later date. We'll miss you husband, dad, grandpa, brother, uncle, coach and friend.

Arrangements entrusted to Cremation Society of Minnesota.

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