James K. Wilhelm

1927 – 2016

James K.Wilhelm was born in February 1927. He passed away peacefully on January 9, 2016.

Jim first joined the US Navy in 1945 and continued to serve through the Naval Reserve until his retirement in 1983. He graduated in Electrical Engineering from the University of Michigan in 1951, and then built a house for his family in Ann Arbor, Michigan in 1954.

The family moved to Scottsdale, Arizona in 1956 and then to West Seattle in 1960. They moved to Mercer Island in 1962, which Jim and Charlotte made their home for close to 50 years. Jim worked as an Electrical Engineer for Boeing for 28 years until his retirement in 1989.

Jim and Charlotte retired from house and yard maintenance in 2011, moving to The Gardens at Town Square in Bellevue, where Charlotte continues to reside.The family became members of Bellevue Christian Church in 1962, where Jim sang baritone in the choir, and served in countless ways, including sharing his electrical and locksmithing skills to help with projects around the church.

Jim shared his love of the outdoors with his children, introducing them to camping, skiing, boating. He also enjoyed travel with the family – from trips to the Oregon Coast to vacations in Maui and Kona.

Jim is survived by his wife of 61 years, Charlotte, and children Ken (Lynn), Paul (Pam), Glen (Angela) and Nancy Stephan (Allan), as well as 10 grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be directed to Bellevue Christian Church, PO Box 1098, Bellevue,WA 98004.