James C. Wilhelm

James C. Wilhelm Resident of Lafayette James C. Wilhelm died October 31, 2010 after a brief illness. He was 95. Jim was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and raised in Alliance, Ohio. He was, at various times in his life, a farm worker, a grocery store clerk, a railroad fireman, wartime skipper of a crash boat, a glorified bookkeeper, and the steel guitar player for the Moonlight Hawaiians and the Hick'ry Hollow Hotshots. He was a light aircraft pilot and OX5 member who restored two vintage (wood and fabric) planes, one of which he flew to Osh Kosh, Wisconsin to participate in the air show. As a skilled woodworker he built a cabin and lovely furniture treasured by family members. His joy, however, was teaching. He taught math at Alliance High School; (pause for naval service during WWII); aircraft maintenance at Vallejo Junior College; math again at Acalanes and Del Valle high schools and at Campolindo, where he was also a counselor. He was a grateful, generous man who laughed and cried easily, enjoyed a good puzzle and a bad joke, and was a mentor to family and friends. He is survived by his loving and beloved wife Olive, daughters Joan and Jane, a son-in-law, and a passel of grandchildren, nieces, and nephews, all of whom will miss him sorely. Donations may be made to University of Mount Union, 906 S. Union, Alliance OH 44601-2937

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