William F. (Bill) Wilharm
May 17, 1929 ~ March 18, 2009
William F. (Bill) Wilharm, 79, of Weirton, WV, passed away on March 18, 2009. He was born in Butler, PA to William Carl and Ethel Wilharm. He is preceded in death by his first wife, June B. Wilharm, and his second wife, Louise Trimmer Wilharm.
Bill was a graduate of Waynesburg College in Waynesburg, PA, and was a Korean War Veteran. Bill was Division Manager of Monongahela Power Company for 35 years until his retirement in 1991. Bill was known for his positive attitude, and he was a good friend to many. He loved playing bridge and was an avid reader.
During his lifetime, he was active in the community serving on the board of the Salvation Army, the Weirton Medical Center Board of Trustees, Bethany College, and the United Way. Over the years, Bill attended the United Methodist Church in Weirton, the Starkdale Presbyterian Church in Steubenville, and the Hilltop Presbyterian Church in Toronto.
Bill is survived by his sister, Jane Sambolt of Coraopolis, PA; his 3 children and their spouses, Bill and Babs Wilharm of Colliers, WV, Connie and Frank Spitzer of Coronado, CA, and Steve and Bev Wilharm of Bridgewater, VA; his 8 grandchildren are Aaron Wilharm, Dustin Wilharm, David Wilharm, Bobby Wilharm, Aftyn DiVenanzo, Jeff Wilharm, Jacques Spitzer, and Blake Spitzer; 4 great-grandchildren are Hudson, Grant, Addison, and Reed Wilharm. Bill also adored his step-children and their families, Aukey and Nancy Trimmer, Mark and Suzette Trimmer, and Walter and Nancy Trimmer Frank; his step-grandchildren are Matt, Pierce, and Zack Trimmer; and step-great granddaughter, Natalie Trimmer. He will also be missed by his many nieces and nephews, and his dear friend, Marilyn Altobell.
Friends and family will gather to celebrate Bill's life from 9 Am until time of services at 10AM, Saturday, May 2, 2009 at the Greco-Hertnick Funeral Home, Weirton.
A celebration of his life will continue at Bill's cabin in Tyler County on Saturday afternoon, all our welcome to attend.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations please be made to the Salvation Army, 794 Cove Road, Weirton, WV 26062.
Dear Bill, Connie and families, Your father was a warm and caring gentleman. The community will surely miss him. When I worked at Weirton Medical, he always took the time to stop and discuss what our needs as staff were. Bill, he was so proud of you. He never failed to praise your accomplishments. Please know that you are all in my prayers. May you find comfort in the Love of our Lord. Jeanie Green McHenry
Dear Bill, Babs and Family, Please accept our heartfelt sympathy. We will keep you and your family in our thoughts and prayers. Jim and Mary Lou Bonaventura
Dear Wilharm Family: God is always in your corner at a time like this – and so are the Griffith’s. Sadly, you have lost a parent, and we have lost a very dear friend. We will miss Bill very much. Love & Prayers, George & Rita Griffith
Dear Wilharm Family, I worked at Monongahela Power Co while Mr Wilharm was our manager. He was a wonderful boss and a caring person. I am now retired and able to enjoy my retirement because of his sound advice. He truly cared about all of the employees who worked for him we were not just numbers to him.
Dear Connie and Family, We are very sorry to learn of your Father’s passing. Our love and our prayers go out to you during this painful time. Duke and Noel
Dear Wilharm Family, I worked at Monongahela Power Company during the time he was the Division Manager. He was a great boss and always took the time to listen to his employees. He stopped in at Mario’s to see the girls at our last “Monongahela Power Retired Girls Dinner” in October. We were so happy to visit with him for a while. He will certainly be missed. I express my deepest sympathy to his family. Connie Norwood
Steve: My very deepest sympathies on the loss of your dad. For the decade after I returned to Weirton and he was still working, he would always re-introduce himself to me by sticking out his hand and saying, “Kelly, Bill Wilharm… Stevie’s dad.” Please offer my condolences to Bill and Connie and their families.
To the Wilharm Family – I first met “Bill” years ago when I applied for a job at Mon. Power. At the time, I didn’t even realize he was head of the Division. He was as genuine and down to earth a person then as he was throughout the years. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to the family.
MR. BILL WILHARM WAS A GREAT FRIEND OF MY HUSBAND FRANK. EVEN THOUGH FRANK HAS PASSED ON I STILL REMEMBER HIM TALKING ABOUT MR. WILHARM AND HOW GREAT OF A GUY HE WAS. HE WILL CERTAINLY BE MISSED BY ALL. MY THOUGHTS GO OUT TO HIS FAMILY, KATHY DECAPIO
Connie, I was so sorry to hear about your dad passing. My thoughts are with you and all your family. Love Sue
Connie: I was so sorry to hear about the passing of your dad. I will always remember when he picked all of us up to take us to the bus stop. He was a very caring person and kind neighbor. He was always so kind and helpful to my mother until her passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Kim Bender Gillespie
The Landon family will be keeping the Wilharm extended family in our thoughts and most especially in our prayers.
I got to know Bill, when I managed the Weirton Elks. He would come in often for lunch. He was always a gentleman and I never heard him say anything negative about anyone. He was a class act and Weirton has lost a great man. My prayers are with the family at this sad time.
Connie, Your dad was a kind and friendly man. He always made me feel welcome at your house. He will be missed. Love, Pat
Connie, Bill, and Steve, As you know, your dad was a special person – a friend to everyone he met- even to bridge players who might win a game now and then! He and your mom were truly community leaders – how they are missed. Please accept our deepest sympathy.
If I got to pick a second Dad, it would have been your Dad. I loved him. I loved his voice, the smell of his cigars. The way he put his arm around me and seemed like he had all day to hear what I had to say. I hope to see you at the memorial. He was such a truly great and special person. I am fortunate to have known him.
Connie, My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your brothers at this sad time. I have special memories of how nice and warm your dad and mom were to me when I used to spend the night at your house when we attended Marland Heights School.
Will, Please accept my condolences during this time of your father’s passing. I’m sure you will miss him very much. I’m looking forward to seeing you at our next reunion. Tom
Connie, My sympathy to you and your family at the loss of your Dad. DebMac
My husband joins me in extending our sympathies to your family. Bill was my boss at Monongahela Power Co. and a better boss could not be found. He was a very special man and friend. I know you have wonderful memories that will bring you comfort and joy as you look back at your life with him. Kathy and Don Kendrick
hi bill, sorry to hear about the loss of your dad,just picked up the paper and read it,lost my dad febuary 08, it really brought back great memories of the cabin on middle island creek, nice to see the cabin is still in the family, many good times there with all your family, after colliers seemed like we all grew apart, touch base with me maybe we can get together this summer and catch up on the last few years, bill and evelyn.