Eugene "Gene" Henry Wilhelm

Eugene Henry Wilhelm, 91, of Corvallis, MT passed away with his family by his side, on December 9, 2022 from a short and courageous battle with Pancreatic Cancer. He was born November10, 1931 in Upland, CA to Henry Samuel and Ava Bigley Wilhelm.  He had two older sisters, Barbara and Joyce.  He attended primary school in Pomona, CA and graduated in 1950 from Chino High School.

Gene was a devoted husband to Karen (Kear) and enjoyed 61 years of marriage together, having married in 1961.

Gene graduated from Mt. San Antonio college with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering and served honorably in the Army Signal Corps from 1952-1954 of the Korean Conflict.  He was a devoted worker and became a senior engineer.  At age 18, he started with B.H. Hadley, which later became Royal Industries, Lear Siegler and finally Derlan, Inc.  He spent over 50 years working for the same company as it evolved and was purchased by other entities.  He was privileged to travel the world as an expert in cryogenic valves.  His valves were state-of-the-art and were part of the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo rockets (which went to the Moon).  Often, he performed last minute adjustments to his cryogenic valves on the launch pad in Cape Canaveral.  His valves were vital in the transportation of liquid natural gas, and super-tankers often had several of the valves he helped design.  In his spare time, his hobbies included, model airplanes, model trains, coin collecting, and Karen's Honey Dos.  He was an amazing craftsman who had an excellent eye for detail, and like many of his generation, he could fix about anything.

Gene and his family are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and Gene served in many capacities including Bishop, temple worker, and Boy Scout leader.  They lived in Tustin, CA for about 31 years.  In 2000, he and Karen were called on a Senior Mission to the Billings, Montana Mission.  They served the first 11 months in Sydney, MT and the remaining 7 months in Corvallis, MT.  They loved the location and people so much that, upon their release, they sold their home in Tustin and moved back to Corvallis.  They purchased a small ranchette and volunteered at the Daly Mansion and the Bitterroot Public Library, mending books.  They served faithfully in the Church and community.

Gene is preceded in death by his parents, sisters Barbara (Zimmer) and Joyce (Sutton), and grandsons Devin Wilhelm and Jonathan Doane.  He is survived by his wife Karen, daughter Eugenia (Michael), sons Ronald (David), Jon (Charlotte), Gregory (Julie), Kenneth (Melanie) and daughter Lori (Jim), 21 Grandchildren and 19 Great-Grandchildren, with two more expected this Spring.

Gene's warm and generous heart embraced all who knew him, and he will be greatly missed by all.    Services will be held in the Corvallis LDS Church at 11 AM on Monday, December 12, 2022 with viewing at 10:00 AM.  Interment will follow the Services at the Corvallis Cemetery with military honors presented by the US Army and Corvallis American Legion.

The family wishes to thank Bitterroot Health Hospice for all their loving care, as well as the many members of the community who expressed their love and concern.