William Whitfield Wilhelm's Obituary
William “Bill” Wilhelm was born on February 10, 1943, in St. Petersburg, Florida to U.S. Coast Guard Lieutenant Commander John Wilhelm and his wife, Elizabeth. He set sail on his final voyage on October 11, 2024.
Bill spent his early years learning to sail at the St. Petersburg Yacht Club where his father was Commodore. His favorite childhood memories were sleeping in a hammock while hunting and fishing with his friends in undeveloped Useppa Island, Boca Grande, Mullet Key, Egmont Key, Pass-a- Grille, and Pine Island. Music was always a key part of his life whether it be entertaining with his band in high school, performing as an accomplished classical guitarist, playing the harmonica, or singing with family and friends.
After graduating from St. Petersburg High School, Bill attended The Citadel and then the University of Florida where he received an undergraduate degree in Spanish and his Juris Doctor in 1968. He was a proud member of the Kappa Alpha Order.
In 1963-64, Bill and his family spent a year aboard their sailboat, Adonde, sailing the Bahamas and Caribbean. In addition to cruising, he also sailed competitively in the SORC, Windjammers, PHRF, regattas to Key West and Isla Mujeres, many Morgan Invasions, Stephen C. Smith Regattas, and also crewed in two transatlantic races and several long-distance yacht deliveries. Spending time with family and friends on his sailboats, Prim and Mañana, brought him the greatest joy.
Bill’s professional life centered around practicing general civil law at his offices in Belleair and Clearwater. He was a highly respected Circuit Civil Mediator, Small Claims Examiner, and Counsel for the City of Oldsmar. He relocated to Tallahassee in 2001 for a position with The Florida Bar, where he remained employed until he retired in July 2023 at 80 years old. He was honored to be a member of the Florida Bar for 55 years.
Bill would be the first to remind us that a life of all work and no play would not be worth living. He was a devoted husband and father who enjoyed many friendships and created plenty of enjoyable memories as a member of the St. Petersburg Yacht Club and Clearwater Yacht Club. In Tallahassee, he enjoyed his time as part of the American Territorial Krewe of Springtime Tallahassee. He was an active member of the Cruising Club of America and Apalachee Bay Yacht Club.
Bill (known as “Bebo” to those close to him) truly enjoyed life, family and friends. He was uniquely kind, helpful, generous, and passionate. In July of this year, his family and friends celebrated with him at a Tampa Bay Rowdies match, where he was honored for naming the team in 1974. Over the past several years, he has delighted the Shell Point community as Santa in the annual Christmas Golf Cart Parade.
Survivors include his wife, Susan; daughters Whitney Langholz (Josh), Sherri Corbett (Dave), Angela Kristiansen (Josh), and Lauren Wilhelm; ten grandchildren; his brother, John Wilhelm (Sally) and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister, Bonnie Loverde. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Bill’s memory may be made to Big Bend Hospice in Tallahassee, Florida. A Celebration of Life will be held in November.
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